Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), says the directive handed to him by President Bola Tinubu to restore stability and democratic governance in the state has been fully realised.
Ibas made the declaration on Friday at Government House, Port Harcourt, during the presentation of the report of the just-concluded local government elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
He recalled that Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, tasked him with stabilising Rivers, re-establishing its institutions, and returning the state to full democratic governance.
“With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairmen and councillors across the 23 councils, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate we were given,” Ibas said.
He commended RSIEC for what he described as a transparent and credible exercise, adding that voters were able to freely express their choices without intimidation.
He assured that the government would review the commission’s report and release a white paper in due course, while also appreciating his team, security agencies, and officials for their support.
Earlier, RSIEC Chairman, Dr Mike Odey, described the polls as a “historic achievement” for Rivers and the country, noting that the election was organised, coordinated, and concluded within 30 days — a record in Nigeria’s electoral history.
“The report highlights our modest achievements, our challenges, and provides key recommendations to strengthen future elections in Rivers State,” Odey said.