Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), has said he has ‘sufficiently achieved’ the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu following the restoration of democratic governance at the local level in the state.
Ibas made the statement on Friday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, during the official presentation of the local government election report by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Tinubu’s Mandate Fulfilled
The retired naval chief recalled that President Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, mandated him to stabilise the state, rebuild its institutions, and restore full democratic governance.
According to Ibas, the peaceful conduct of the council elections and the subsequent swearing-in of elected chairmen and councillors across the 23 local governments demonstrated that the assignment had been fully delivered.
“Mr. President’s mandate to me was clear: to stabilise the state, create an enabling environment for the re-establishment of its institutions, and return Rivers State back to full democratic governance. With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairmen and their councils, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate that we were given,” he stated.
He commended RSIEC for ensuring a credible and transparent process where voters freely expressed their will without intimidation or harassment.
RSIEC Hails Historic Achievement
Earlier, while presenting the report, RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Mike Odey, described the election as a landmark success for Rivers State and Nigeria.
He highlighted that the polls were organised, coordinated, and concluded within 30 days — a record never before achieved in the nation’s electoral history.
“The report highlights our modest achievements, our challenges, and provides key recommendations that will strengthen future elections in Rivers State,” Odey said.
Ibas assured residents that the government would review the report and issue a white paper in due course, while also appreciating his team, security agencies, and state officials for their collective effort in delivering on the president’s directive.