At the expiration of the successful 5 years tenure in the Federal Civil Service Commission in 2018, he returned home and was compelled by his people from Ahoada West to contest as the Executive Chairman of the Local Government. In June 2018 he contested for the position and won with an overwhelming majority vote.
Since his inception in office, the Local Government Area has experienced a tremendous development especially in the area of Rural Electrification and an impressive touch of professionalism in the Administration of the Council.
This is evident in the numerous meaningful projects he is executing that are of high impact in nature. Chief amongst them is the RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT (REP), which when completed will bring about a total turn around in the development of the area.
Hon. (Evang.) Hope Odhuluma Ikiriko has also distinguished himself in the area of crisis and natural disaster management as it was shown in his approach towards the management of security challenges in the area. Another case was his approach towards the management of the flood disaster of 2018, 2019 and 2020. And finally his effort in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the area.
It might interest you to know that in this just concluded Local Government Election of Rivers State held on the 17th of April 2021, Hon. (Evang) Hope O. Ikiriko has been re-elected again for the second term in office.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen as you gather today to honour this humble, diligent and quintessential politician, you are not just honoring an icon and an astute Administrator, but you are honoring excellence and meritocracy, a man who has brought hope to our people and has enthroned Godliness in governance.