Ibas monitored the exercise in several local government
areas, including Emohua, Ahoada East, and Port Harcourt.

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 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,” Ibas
said.

“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.”

Ibas added that the election reflects the people’s desire to
elect leaders they can identify with at the local level, saying it aligns 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,” he said.

“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.”

In February, the supreme court nullified the LG election
conducted in Rivers on October 5, 2024, during the administration of Siminalayi
Fubara.

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

The president then appointed Ibas as the sole administrator
with a term limit of six months.

In July, the RSIEC scheduled August 30 for the LG polls in
the south-south state.