The Rivers State sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) has emplored all the newly elected Local Government Chairmen to be selfless and focus on Grassroot development.
Ibas made the charge during Monday night’s swearing-in ceremony for the 23 LG Council chairmen-elect at the Rivers state Government House in Port Harcourt.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, and sent to reporters.
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Ibas urged the incoming chairmen-elect to welcome a new era of open, responsible, and reform-oriented leadership for the benefit of their respective regions’ citizens.
The administrator strongly emphasised that holding public office is a sacred trust and should not be used as a means of achieving personal benefit.
In his words, “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 issued a warning that leaders need to put aside patronage politics and concentrate entirely on providing quantifiable services that actually enhance the lives of people at the local level.
Recalling President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025, in response to the political crisis in the state caused by disputes among political actors, the administrator contextualised the historic event within the larger framework of the state’s recent difficulties.
He however, praised the orderly and successful Local Government elections held on August 30, 2025, calling it a significant step in restoring constitutional order to the oil-rich state.
To Rivers people, he said, “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. ”
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In addition to praising the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission for providing an open, trustworthy, and rancour-free election process, the administrator congratulated the voters for their self-control and engaged participation in last Saturday’s elections.
Ibas further stressed that the incoming chairmen must acquaint themselves with the Nigerian Constitution and all statutes guiding the local government system, which he described as the essential “compass of stewardship.”
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