Rivers SOLAD Declares LG Polls Peaceful, Expects Credible Results

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (ret’d), has said that last Saturday’s LG election in the state was peaceful and orderly, describing it a decisive step toward restoring democratic governance at the grassroots.

Ret’d Admiral Ibas monitored the exercise in several local government areas, including Emohua, Ahoada East, and Port Harcourt City.

Speaking with journalists during the elections, he said the comportment of voters and election officials created a calm and secure atmosphere for the polls.

The sole administrator said reports from the 23 LGAs were consistent with his observations, pointing to a largely incident-free exercise.

“I am very happy with what I have witnessed today.

“The process has been notably peaceful, from the significant turnout to the orderly conduct of both voters and election officials. I am confident that at the end of the day, we will have a credible set of results that we will all be proud of as a state.

“Generally, the situation has been calm and seamless across the state. We have not received any major negative reports, which is a testament to the collective desire for peace and normalcy”, ret’d Admiral Ibas said.

The SOLAD added that the election reflected the people’s desire to elect leaders they can identify with at the local level, saying it aligned with his mandate to stabilize the state and return it to democratic rule.

“Certainly, all indigenes of Rivers State want and deserve grassroots leadership they can call their own. That is what this process represents.

“Facilitating this foundational tier of democracy is a core objective of my mandate: to put the state back on a stable, democratic path and empower its people”, he said.

In February this year, the supreme court nullified the LG elections conducted in Rivers State on October 5, 2024, by the administration of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

In March this year, President Bola Tinubu suspended Gov. Fubara, his deputy, and the legislative arm for six months over an alleged political crisis in the state.

The president then appointed ret’d Admiral Ibas as the sole administrator with a term limit of six months in the first instance.

In July, the reconstituted RSIEC scheduled August 30 for the fresh LG polls in the state.