Rivers State Administrator Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) and the newly- elected 23 local government chairmen after their swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday .
By Dianabasi Effiong
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has sworn in the 23 newly-elected Local Government Chairmen with the charge for them to reject self-interest and provide a transparent, accountable, and reform-driven leadership for the people of the state.
The swearing-in ceremony at the Government House in Port Harcourt, on Monday, heralded the restoration of democratic governance at the grassroots level in the state after a period of political turbulence that necessitated federal intervention.
Ibas reminded them that public office was a sacred trust, not an avenue for personal gain.
He said, “This victory is not a prize to be enjoyed. It is a burden to be carried. It is not an entitlement, but a duty. It is not a call to self-interest, but to selfless service.”
He urged that leadership must move beyond the politics of patronage and focus on delivering measurable services that improve the lives of citizens at the grassroots level.
The Administrator also recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025, following a catastrophic breakdown of law and order and the collapse of governance at the local level.
He hailed the peaceful and successful conduct of the Local Government elections on Aug. 30, 2025, as a decisive step towards reinstating constitutional order and a testament to the resilience of the people of Rivers State.
“You proved that democracy belongs to the people, that power must flow from the consent of the governed, and that no obstacle can weaken the resolve of a united citizenry,” he said.
He commended the electorate for their discipline and active participation.
He also praised the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for delivering a transparent, credible, and rancor-free electoral process.
Outlining a clear roadmap for the incoming chairmen, Ibas tasked them to acquaint themselves with the Nigerian Constitution and all statutes guiding the local government system, which he described as the essential “compass of stewardship.”
He further charged them to make peace and security their foremost priority, working closely with traditional rulers, security agencies, and community leaders to foster stability.
He said, “Without peace, there can be no progress.”
He charged them to strengthen local economies by supporting small businesses, critical infrastructure upgrades, and investments in education.
Ibas also informed them of the ongoing biometric enrollment of all local government staff—a critical data-driven reform, adding that they should give the exercise their full support to ensure its completion for effective planning and payroll management.
The Administrator also expressed profound gratitude to the outgoing Council Administrators for their steadfast service and contributions during a critical period in the state’s history.
Rivers State Administrator Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) and the newly- elected 23 local government chairmen after their swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
