The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced that the six-month mandate given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stabilise the state has been successfully completed.
Ibas made the declaration on Friday at Government House, Port Harcourt, while receiving the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) report on the just-concluded local government elections.
Background to the Mandate
President Tinubu imposed a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, 2025, after the prolonged political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The directive suspended the governor and state legislators, with Ibas appointed to oversee governance.
According to the retired naval chief, the presidential order was clear: restore order, re-establish democratic institutions, and stabilise the state.
“With the peaceful conduct of local government elections and the swearing-in of elected chairmen and councillors across all 23 LGAs, I can confidently say the mandate has been achieved,” Ibas said.
Credible Polls and RSIEC’s Role
He commended RSIEC for what he described as a credible and transparent process, stressing that voters were allowed to choose their leaders freely and without intimidation. Ibas assured that the commission’s report would be carefully reviewed, and a government white paper issued.
Earlier, RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Mike Odey, presented the election report, describing the exercise as historic. He explained that the polls, conducted under the provisions of the RSIEC Law of 2018, were successfully organised and concluded within 30 days — a feat he claimed was unprecedented in Nigeria’s electoral history. Odey credited the success to cooperation with political parties, civil society groups, and security agencies, while thanking the administrator for providing adequate funding.
Fubara’s Expected Return
Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has reportedly been on vacation abroad, is expected to return to office next week as the emergency rule formally expires.
Post a Comment