By Opara Ejike
Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has declared that the presidential mandate given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the state of emergency has been successfully fulfilled.
Speaking during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Friday, Ibas announced that the three key components of the mandate – stabilizing the state, re-establishing government institutions, and restoring full democratic governance – have been sufficiently achieved.
The presidential directive was clear: restore order, rebuild institutions, and return power to the people through democratic processes. I can confidently say that we have achieved that, Ibas stated.
President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, citing a breakdown of constitutional order, political unrest, and escalating violence. This led to the suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor, the State House of Assembly, and local government officials across the state.
In response, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibas as Sole Administrator with a clear mandate to stabilize governance structures and prepare the state for a return to civilian rule.
Highlighting recent achievements, Ibas pointed to the peaceful and credible conduct of local government elections across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State. The elections, which were widely monitored by both national and international observers, culminated in the successful swearing-in of elected chairmen and councillors.
We have conducted free, fair, and violence-free local government elections. The transition of power to duly elected officials marks a turning point in the democratic journey of Rivers State,” he added.
This development has been lauded by several stakeholders as a crucial step toward rebuilding confidence in public institutions and promoting civic participation at the grassroots level.
While the administrator’s declaration was met with commendation in some quarters, it has also sparked debate over the scope and legality of actions taken during the emergency period.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Rivers State chapter, recently raised concerns over what it described as overreach by the Sole Administrator in dissolving certain state boards and making high-level appointments. The NBA called on the federal government to ensure that all emergency interventions remain within constitutional bounds.
With the core components of the presidential mandate declared fulfilled, the spotlight now turns to the federal government on whether the suspension of the state’s executive and legislative arms will soon be lifted.
There is growing anticipation among Rivers citizens and political stakeholders for the full restoration of democratic structures at the state level, especially with gubernatorial elections originally scheduled for 2026 now being discussed for possible rescheduling.
Vice Admiral Ibas’s stewardship over the past six months has been marked by relative calm and the rebuilding of local democratic institutions. While the return to full civilian rule remains incomplete, his declaration signals a critical milestone in Rivers State’s path to political recovery.
Observers are now watching closely to see how the federal government will transition the state from emergency rule back to full constitutional governance.
