Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has expressed confidence that democratic governance will soon be fully restored in the state following the peaceful conduct of local government elections.
Ibas, who toured multiple locations across the state to monitor the polls, described the elections as smooth, credible, and orderly. His visits included the Emohua Council Secretariat, Okporowo/Ogbakiri community in Emohua Local Government Area, Igbu Ogbo village in Ahoada East, and Ogbunuabali town in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
Speaking to journalists after his monitoring rounds, Ibas commended both voters and election officials for maintaining decorum. “I’m happy with what I’ve seen. The process has been peaceful, from the turnout to the conduct of all involved. At the end of the day, we should have something we will all be proud of,” he said.
He added that reports from polling units across the state indicated calm and orderliness, with no significant disturbances reported. “Generally, the situation has been calm, and the process very seamless. We have not received any major negative reports,” he confirmed.
Ibas emphasized that the successful conduct of the elections reflects the people’s desire for grassroots representation and constitutes an important step toward fully restoring democratic governance in Rivers State. “All indigenes of Rivers State desire leadership even at the grassroots level. Today’s process is a clear manifestation of that. It aligns with one of the primary objectives of my mandate—putting the state back on its footing,” he added.
