THE Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Retd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Friday declared that President Bola Tinubu’s directive under the six-month emergency rule had been “sufficiently achieved” following the successful conduct of local government elections and the swearing-in of elected council officials across the state.
News Point Nigeria reports that Ibas made the remarks at Government House, Port Harcourt, while receiving the comprehensive report on the just-concluded local government elections from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Speaking at the event, the Administrator expressed satisfaction that the presidential mandate given to him on March 18, 2025, had been fulfilled.
“Mr President’s mandate to me was clear: stabilise the state, re-establish its institutions, and return Rivers State to full democratic governance. With the successful conduct and inauguration of local government councils, we have decisively delivered on that mandate,” Ibas stated.
He commended RSIEC for what he described as a “fair, credible, and transparent” election that restored confidence in the democratic process.
“For once, an election was conducted where nobody was harassed, where people freely made their choice of leaders. This reflects the enabling environment we collectively built,” he said.
Ibas further assured that RSIEC’s report would be thoroughly reviewed and a government white paper issued to consolidate lessons learned and guide future electoral processes.
Presenting the report, RSIEC Chairman Mike Odey described the election as a “historic achievement” not just for Rivers State but for Nigeria.
“The report covers every stage of the process from election notice, stakeholder engagement, polling, and collation to the final declaration of results. It also highlights our challenges and offers recommendations to strengthen future elections in the state,” Odey said.
He credited the success of the exercise to the collaboration among political parties, civil society, and security agencies, as well as the Administrator’s commitment to adequate and timely funding.
“In Nigeria’s electoral history, no institution at national or sub-national level has organised and concluded an entire electoral process within 30 days. With modesty, I state this as an unprecedented record,” he declared.
Odey praised Rivers residents for their peaceful participation and called for sustained peace and democratic consolidation.
The landmark elections bring to a close a turbulent chapter in Rivers State’s political history. On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly after a fierce political crisis threatened governance in the state.
In June, Tinubu met with Fubara, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and other key political actors at the Presidential Villa, where he brokered a peace deal that paved the way for the restoration of democratic structures at the grassroots.
Barely two days after the latest round of peace talks, Fubara, Wike, and Amaewhule appeared together publicly at a funeral service in Rumueprikom, Wike’s hometown, signalling a significant easing of political tensions.
With the elections concluded and local councils inaugurated, the Administrator reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring a smooth handover process and supporting sustained stability across the state.
“Nation-building requires synergy and shared commitment,” Ibas said, expressing gratitude to security agencies, government officials, and Rivers residents for their cooperation throughout the emergency period.