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President Bola Tinubu lifts six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
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Suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Gov Ngozi Nma Odu, and House members to return Thursday.
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Decision comes as peace returns and stakeholders express readiness for democratic governance.
President Bola Tinubu has officially ended the six-month State of Emergency in Rivers State, directing the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume duties on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
The President explained that the emergency, declared on March 18, 2025, was necessitated by a total collapse of governance and the fragmentation of the State House of Assembly.
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Critical infrastructure, including oil pipelines, faced vandalism, and the legislative and executive arms were locked in a protracted standoff, preventing the passage of appropriation bills.
“From the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm among all stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance,” Tinubu said.
He added that maintaining the emergency beyond the six months was unnecessary.
The President thanked the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and the people of Rivers State for their support during the emergency period. While noting dissent and legal challenges to the declaration, he affirmed the constitutional validity of using emergency powers to restore peace and order.
The lifting of the emergency rule paves the way for the full resumption of governance in Rivers State, with expectations of renewed collaboration between the executive and legislative branches to deliver democratic dividends.
