President Tinubu Ends Six-Month State of Emergency in Rivers State

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially declared the end of the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, effective from midnight on September 17, 2025. The announcement marks a significant milestone as the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, are set to resume their constitutional duties starting September 18, 2025.

The state of emergency was initially proclaimed by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, in response to a severe governance crisis that had rendered the state’s government paralyzed. At the time, a bitter rift between the Governor and the House of Assembly—where 27 members opposed the Governor and aligned with the Speaker, against four who supported the Governor—had stalled legislative functions. The crisis escalated to the point where the Governor was unable to present an Appropriation Bill, effectively crippling the state’s ability to access funds for governance and development.

The situation deteriorated so badly that the Supreme Court ruled there was effectively no government in Rivers State, underscoring the gravity of the constitutional impasse. President Tinubu explained that his intervention, as authorized by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, was aimed at restoring order and preventing the state from descending into anarchy. Consequently, the offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Assembly members were temporarily suspended, while Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) was appointed as the sole Administrator to oversee the administration of the state.

While the proclamation faced some dissent, including over 40 legal challenges filed in various courts, the National Assembly promptly approved the emergency declaration, recognizing the urgent need to restore peace and governance.

Today, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the people of Rivers State, traditional rulers, and the National Assembly for their support during the emergency period. He also acknowledged a renewed spirit of reconciliation among the state’s political stakeholders, which paved the way for the restoration of democratic governance.

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The President took the opportunity to remind all states in Nigeria about the importance of maintaining peace, order, and cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, emphasizing that this harmony is essential for delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

This development is expected to usher in a period of stability and renewed progress in the oil-rich state, following a challenging period marked by political instability and governance paralysis.