Ibok-Ete Ibas, sole administrator of Rivers State, has said he has fulfilled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate by restoring the state to its full democratic governance.
Gatekeepers News reports that the emergency rule is set to expire on Thursday, September 18. Recall that the President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara on March 18, 2025, along with his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for 6 months.
Ibas made the remarks on Friday at the government house in Port Harcourt during the submission of a report on the recently held local government elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The polls, which took place on August 30 across 23 LGAs, sparked debate over the legality of Ibas supervising a democratic process as sole administrator. The All Progressives Congress (APC) secured victory in 20 councils, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won three.
Ibas maintained that the successful conduct of the elections signified that the president’s directive had been sufficiently achieved. He explained that his administration would review the RSIEC report and prepare a government white paper.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, Ibas was quoted, “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.”
Mike Odey, RSIEC chairman, noted that the report captures the full details of the elections. He said, “ The report highlights our modest achievements, our challenges, and provides key recommendations that will strengthen the future.”
The RSIEC chairman also commended Rivers residents for their peaceful participation in the election.
