The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), has sworn in the 23 newly elected local government chairmen.
The swearing-in, which took place at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday, was described as a pivotal milestone in Rivers State’s journey to restore full democratic governance after a period of political turbulence that drew federal intervention.
In his address, Ibas underscored that public office must never be treated as personal gain. He declared: “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 warned that leadership should move beyond patronage politics and instead deliver measurable services that directly improve lives at the grassroots.
The administrator situated the event within the broader context of Rivers State’s recent challenges, recalling President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025, after the collapse of governance at the local level and a breakdown of law and order.
Ibas hailed the peaceful and successful conduct of the local government elections on August 30, 2025, calling it a decisive step in reinstating constitutional order and a testament to the resilience of Rivers people.
“You proved that democracy belongs to the people, that power must flow from the consent of the governed, and that no obstacle can subvert the will of the people,” he said.