Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), sole Administrator of Rivers, says he has fulfilled the mandate given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at Government House, Port Harcourt, during the presentation of a report on the Local Government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Ibas said the mandate was to return the state to full democratic governance.

Daily Trust reports that Tinubu had declared State of Emergency in Rivers at the height of the political crisis in the state.

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The President had slammed a six-month suspension on Governor Siminalayi Fubara alongside members of the State House of Assembly who were on the verge of impeaching the governor.

Tinubu’s action had triggered controversy as civil right groups, human rights activists, among others kicked against the emergency rule and suspension of democratically elected officials.

But Tinubu stood his ground and Ibas carried on in office.

In his speech, Ibas said his administration would review the RSIEC report and issue an official government white paper.

“Mr. President’s mandate to me was clear: to stabilise the state, create an enabling environment for the re-establishment of its institutions, and return Rivers State back to full democratic governance.”

“With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairmen and their councils, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate that we were given.”

Mike Odey, chairman of RSIEC, said the report contains the full account of the LGA elections.

“The report highlights our modest achievements, our challenges, and provides key recommendations that will strengthen the future,” he said.

Odey commended the people of the state for their peaceful participation in the polls.