The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s directive under the emergency rule in the state has been successfully carried out.
Ibas made the remark on Friday while presenting the report of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on the just-concluded local government elections at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
He explained that Tinubu’s order at the onset of the emergency rule was unambiguous — restore order, revive democratic structures, and stabilise the polity.
“With the peaceful conduct of local government elections and the swearing-in of chairmen and councillors across the 23 local government areas, I can confidently say the mandate has been achieved,” the retired Naval chief said.
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu imposed a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State following rising political tensions and violent clashes between rival factions. The decision, which drew mixed reactions nationwide, resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the National Assembly representing the state.
The measure paved the way for Ibas’ appointment as Sole Administrator, a move the Presidency defended as necessary to forestall a total breakdown of law and order.
