It’s Done, Presidential Mandate Delivered – Rivers Sole Administrator Declares

• As RSIEC submits report on local government  poll

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Amid allegations of official looting, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), says he has “sufficiently achieved” the mandate entrusted to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025.

According to him, this is evident largely in the restoration of democratic governance at the grassroots level in the oil-rich state.

Vice Admiral Ibas stated this at Government House, Port Harcourt, while receiving the comprehensive report by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on the recently concluded local government elections.

The Sole Administrator said the peaceful conduct of the polls and the swearing-in of democratically elected Chairmen and Councillors across all 23 Local Government Areas marked the direct fulfillment of the presidential directive given to him on March 18, 2025.

He said, “Mr. President’s mandate to me was clear: to stabilize 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 that mandate.”

The Administrator, who commended RSIEC for organizing a “fair, credible, and transparent electoral process, widely commended within and outside the state”, said, “For once, an election was conducted where nobody was harassed, where people went out freely to express themselves and to select whom they wanted as their leaders.

“This is a testament to the peaceful and enabling environment we have collectively fostered.”

While assuring that the administration would carefully review the RSIEC report and issue a government white paper as appropriate, Vice Admiral Ibas also expressed gratitude to his team, security agencies, and state officials for their synergy and cooperation.

Looking back on his duty tour in the oil-rich state over the last six months, the Sole Administrator proudly declared, “This is what it takes to build nations.”

Earlier in his report presentation, the RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Mike Odey described the elections as a “historic achievement” for Rivers State and the nation.

He said the report provides a comprehensive account of the entire process, ranging from the initial notice of election to stakeholder engagements, polling, collation of results, and the final declaration of winners.

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

He explained that the Electoral umpire operated strictly in accordance with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law of 2018 (as amended).

While crediting the success of the electoral process to robust collaboration with political parties, civil society organizations, and security agencies, Dr. Odey also thanked the Sole Administrator foe his support, particularly in providing “adequate and sufficient” funding, which enabled the Commission to deliver an unprecedented feat in electoral management.

Hear him, “In the history of election management in Nigeria, whether at national or sub-national level, no institution has ever organized, coordinated, conducted, and supervised a complete electoral process within 30 days.

“With all modesty, I have no regrets in stating this fact for the record”.

Dr Odey praised the people of Rivers State for their peaceful participation in the electoral process, even as he prayed for the continued progress and prosperity of the state.