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| Rivers State Administrator Ibas receives election report. |
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), announced on September 12, 2025, that he had successfully fulfilled the presidential mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu. This mandate followed the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025 .
Ibas made the declaration at the Government House in Port Harcourt while receiving the official report from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on the recently concluded local government elections. He stated that the peaceful conduct of polls and the swearing-in of elected chairpersons and councilors across all 23 local government areas directly fulfilled the presidential directive issued to him six months prior .
“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,” Ibas said. “With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairpersons and their councils, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate that we were given” .
The state of emergency was imposed in March 2025 amid a prolonged political crisis that paralyzed governance in Rivers State. President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. The president cited the urgent need to address security challenges and governance breakdown in the state .
Ibas, a retired Chief of Naval Staff and former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, was appointed to lead the state during the emergency period. His appointment drew mixed reactions, with civil society groups expressing concern over the suspension of democratic structures .
During the emergency period, Ibas focused on stabilizing the state and preparing for the restoration of local democracy. The successful local government elections, organized by RSIEC within 30 days, were widely described as a historic achievement. Dr. Mike Odey, Chairman of RSIEC, praised the election as transparent and credible, noting that it was conducted without harassment or interference .
The political crisis in Rivers State began as a power struggle between Governor Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. The conflict led to a breakdown of governance and heightened tensions in the state. In June 2025, President Tinubu mediated a reconciliation between the two leaders, raising hopes for a return to normalcy .
Following the reconciliation, elders and leaders in Rivers State called for the lifting of the state of emergency and the full restoration of democratic governance. The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum described the crisis as a “sad development that deeply wounded the soul of our dear state” .
Despite these calls, the emergency rule remained in place until the completion of the local government elections. With the swearing-in of elected officials, Ibas has now effectively restored democratic governance at the grassroots level .
Ibas commended RSIEC for organizing a fair and transparent electoral process. He also thanked his team, security agencies, and state officials for their collaborative efforts. “This is what it takes to build nations,” he said, emphasizing the importance of synergy and shared commitment .
The announcement has been met with optimism by many residents of Rivers State, who hope for sustained peace and progress. However, some civil society groups remain cautious, calling for clearer timelines and a well-defined roadmap for fully restoring democratic governance at the state level .
Ibas assured that his administration would review the RSIEC report and issue an official government white paper in due course. He did not specify a date for the full restoration of state-level democratic governance but indicated that the process was on track .
The event marks a significant milestone in Rivers State’s journey toward political stability. The successful local elections and the administrator’s declaration have set the stage for further steps to normalize governance in the state .