Sopuruchi Onwuka
The emergency administration in Rivers State is convinced that its mission of restoring peace, security and stability for the progress of the state has been accomplished with the successful conclusion of the local government elections in the state.
Spokesman of the administration, Mr Hector Igbikiowubo, told Oracle Intelligence exclusively that process of the election was peaceful, explaining that all candidates who were cleared by the electoral body participated under peaceful atmosphere.
Oracle Intelligence reports that whereas the National Assembly which plays legislative oversight of the interim administration in the state has commended the election as free and fair, social commentators have been in town with pictures showing low voter turnout and other indications of voter apathy in the local government elections.
Conduct of the election under the interim administration was challenged in the court by some parties but there was no restraining order on the administration in Rivers State until the election was conducted as scheduled.
Hector declared that all issues pertaining to the election have been settled, adding that winners have been sworn into office without any challenge to the electoral process on the grounds of flaw.
He also noted that local and international observers were allowed to monitor the conduct of the elections, pointing out that the process was validated rather than condemned by the observers. He made it clear that the Administration of Admiral Ibok-Ekwe Ibas had mounted monitoring teams to ensure that the elections were successful.
On low voter apathy, Mr Igbikiowubo noted that the issue of voter turnout was beyond the control of the administration, explaining that there was no way all voters would come out in one fell swoop. He made it clear that it would be difficult to influence the pattern of turnout since the administration.
“What is important at this point,” Hector said about the elections that took place in the 30 local government councils of the state, “is that Rivers State is at peace; thanks to the nature, style and discipline of the administrator.”
He stated that Admiral Ibas has maintained a disciplined calm in the face of heightened provocation by some elements that cook unfounded and slanderous commentary in the state. He said the interim administration is focused in delivering the mandate of restoring stability and moving the state forward.
Mr Igbikiowubo noted that contrary to fears of developmental stalemate in the state, the administration of Admiral Ibas has not only restored tranquillity but also setting performance standards at all level of administration in the state. He said all government officials in Rivers State would no longer ignore their roles or abdicate responsibility under a new performance index that benchmarks duties with results.
On social services, he said the interim administration in the state has laid new schemes for evaluating and fixing disrepairs in public infrastructure, facilities and amenities.
On accountability under the emergency government, Hector stated that the administration functioned under the direct supervision of the National Assembly while Admiral Ibas also brought his military discipline and experience to bear on the job.
He also noted that Rivers State has an established culture of governance which, according to him, the emergency administration has respected to ensure that governance in the state ran without disruption. Mr Igbikiowubo made it clear that emergency rule in the state was still democratic, supervised by the national legislature and obeyed the rules of engagement that conforms with the culture of governance in the state.
