I’ve Fully Achieved Tinubu’s Emergency Mandate On Rivers - Ibas

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), has affirmed that he has successfully fulfilled the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu, following the restoration of democratic governance at the grassroots level.

Ibas made the announcement on Friday at Government House, Port Harcourt, during the formal presentation of the report of the recently concluded local government elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

He recalled that Tinubu had on March 18, 2025, instructed him to stabilise the state, restore its institutions, and return Rivers to full democratic governance. 

The administrator said the successful conduct of the polls and the swearing-in of elected chairmen and councillors across all 23 local governments had met that directive.

“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,” Ibas stated.

He commended RSIEC for what he described as a credible and transparent election, noting that the exercise was conducted without harassment and that voters freely expressed their choices.

Ibas also assured the public that the government would review the RSIEC report and issue a white paper in due course, while appreciating his team, security agencies, and state officials for their collective effort in ensuring the success of the elections.

Presenting the report, RSIEC Chairman Dr Mike Odey described the election as a “historic achievement” for Rivers and the nation, highlighting that it was organised, coordinated, and concluded within 30 days — an unprecedented feat in Nigerian electoral history.

“The report highlights our modest achievements, our challenges, and provides key recommendations that will strengthen future elections in Rivers State,” Odey said.