The coast seems to get clearer by the day on whether the state of emergency is ending next week or not. The man regarded as the most important voice on what to expect has spoken up, saying he has fulfilled his presidential mandate.
Ibok ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State, a retired Vice Admiral, has formally declared the mandate handed to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR as “sufficiently achieved.” Many who had been in doubt view this as final sign that the man is sure to leave next week.
This is said to be following the successful restoration of democratic governance at the grassroots level. The state recently conducted elections in the 23 LGA areas of the state which were conveniently swept by Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, who now seems in full control of the powers in the state following Sim Fubara’s surrender. The suspended governor’s political camp did not contest the elections.
Now, Ibas said this election was his major mandate. According to his media aide, Hector Igbikiowuko, the declaration was made Friday, September 12, 2025, at Government House, Port Harcourt, during a ceremony where the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) presented the comprehensive report of the recently concluded local government elections to the State Administrator.
The statement said Ibas, in his address, stated that the peaceful conduct of the polls and the subsequent swearing-in of democratically elected chairmen and councillors across all 23 LGAs marked the direct fulfillment of the presidential directive issued to him on March 18, 2025.
“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,” the Administrator said.
“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.”
Read also: Fubara and Sept 18: To return or not to return?
He commended Rivers State Indepenent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), headed by his newly appointed kinsman, for organising what he described as a fair, credible, and transparent electoral process, which he said has been widely praised within and beyond the state.
“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,” he remarked.
He did not add that the election was contested by only one political family where persons to win had been determined by the camp and the state shared out as 23 to one party and three to the other, all fingers of one political family. Other camps led by important persons such as Chibuike Amaechi, Fubara, Celestine Omehia, etc, stayed away. In this case, many say there was no rivalry needing violence and fireworks.
The Administrator however gave the assurance that his administration would meticulously review the RSIEC report and issue an official government white paper in due course. He extended his profound appreciation to his team, security agencies, and state officials for their collaborative effort and synergy, noting that “this is what it takes to build nations.”
Earlier, while presenting the detailed report, Mike Odey, the Chairman of RSIEC, described the election as a “historic achievement” for the state and the country. He revealed that the document provides a full account of the entire process, from the initial notice of election to stakeholder engagements, polling, collation of results, and the final announcement of winners.
“The report highlights our modest achievements, our challenges, and provides key recommendations that will strengthen future elections in Rivers State,” Odey stated.
He emphasized that the Commission operated strictly in accordance with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law of 2018 (as amended) and credited the election’s success to robust collaboration with political parties, civil society organizations, and security agencies.
Odey also expressed the Commission’s gratitude to the Administrator for providing “adequate and sufficient” funding, which enabled an unprecedented feat in Nigerian electoral management.
“In the history of election management in Nigeria, be it national or sub-national, no institution has ever organized, coordinated, conducted, and supervised a complete electoral process within a period of 30 days. With all modesty, I have no regrets in stating this fact for the record,” he declared.
The RSIEC Chairman concluded by commending the people of Rivers State for their peaceful participation and cooperation throughout the exercise, praying for the continued progress and prosperity of the state.
