Breaking: Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas Releases Statement as Fubara Set to Return as Governor

• Rivers State Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) declared that President Tinubu’s mandate to stabilise the state and restore democracy was achieved
• Ibas commended RSIEC for conducting transparent local government elections and promised a government review of the report, with a white paper to follow
• RSIEC Chairman Dr Mike Odey hailed the polls as a “historic achievement,” noting they were concluded within 30 days, a first in Nigeria’s electoral history

Port Harcourt, Rivers state - Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), has declared that the mandate handed to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had been “sufficiently achieved,” following the restoration of democratic governance at the grassroots level.

Recall that Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers state and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

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Speaking on Friday, September 13, at Government House, Port Harcourt, during the formal presentation of the report of the just-concluded local government elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Ibas recalled that Tinubu had tasked him with stabilising the state and restoring institutions.

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.

Administrator commends RSIEC for credible polls

The sole administrator commended RSIEC for what he described as a credible and transparent election, noting that the polls were conducted without harassment and voters freely expressed their choices, Vanguard reported.

He added that the government would carefully review the RSIEC report and issue a white paper in due course, while also acknowledging the efforts of his team, security agencies, and state officials.

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RSIEC chairman hails “historic achievement”

Presenting the report earlier, RSIEC Chairman, Dr Mike Odey, described the election as a “historic achievement” for Rivers and for Nigeria, emphasising that it was organised, coordinated, and concluded within 30 days, an unprecedented feat in the country’s electoral history, Daily Trust reported.

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

Analyst warns Rivers crisis could erode Tinubu’s support

Tobi Olukoya, a political analyst, has said that the Rivers crisis carries more consequences for President Bola Tinubu’s political standing in the South-South.

Olukoya told Legit.ng that,

“For President Tinubu, the implications go beyond Rivers. The South-South remains Nigeria’s oil hub and a decisive political region.”

“Securing control through extraordinary measures may yield short-term stability, but it risks alienating voters who see federal intervention as overreach.”

“If this perception hardens, Tinubu’s influence in the region could weaken, emboldening opposition forces and complicating his efforts to build a durable political base in the South-South.”

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Wike speaks on Rivers LG elections

Legit.ng earlier reported that the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, claimed that the APC is now a threat in his state, Rivers. Wike, in an interview, said that the reason for the development was due to the level of federal appointments from the state.

The minister's comment, which came after the local government election in his state, Rivers, generated mixed reactions from some Nigerians.

Wike, while speaking with some selected journalists in Abuja on Monday, September 1, said the level of federal appointments from the state has made the APC a threat to any other opposition parties in the oil-rich state.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a political analyst for this report.

Source: Legit.ng