Ibok-Ete Ibas, sole administrator of Rivers, says he has fulfilled President Bola Tinubu’s directive by restoring “full democratic governance” to the state ahead of the expiration of emergency rule.
Speaking at the government house in Port Harcourt on Friday during the presentation of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) report on the recent local government elections, Ibas said the successful conduct of the polls marked the completion of his mandate.
“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,” Ibas said in a statement signed by Hector Igbikiowubo, his media aide.
“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.”
On August 30, RSIEC conducted elections across the 23 LGAs of the state, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) winning 20 chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured three.
Mike Odey, RSIEC chairman, said the report presented to Ibas contained a full account of the exercise, including challenges faced and recommendations for future improvements. He commended Rivers residents for their peaceful participation.
President Tinubu had declared emergency rule in Rivers on March 18 following a political crisis that saw the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state assembly.
Ibas, a retired naval chief, was appointed sole administrator to steer the state during the interim period. The emergency rule is expected to lapse on Thursday, September 18.
