President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the end of the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, declaring that democratic governance will resume in the oil-rich state from Thursday, September 18.
In a national broadcast on Wednesday, the President said the emergency rule, which began on March 18, 2025, was a “painfully inevitable” decision taken to arrest a total breakdown of governance in Rivers State. He recalled that sharp divisions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly had led to legislative paralysis, vandalism of vital economic assets, and what the Supreme Court itself described as “a situation where there was no government in Rivers State.”
“Even my personal interventions and those of other well-meaning Nigerians proved abortive as both sides stuck rigidly to their positions,” Tinubu said. “To have failed to act under Section 305 of the Constitution would have been a colossal dereliction of duty.”
The emergency measure suspended the offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the State Assembly for six months. With the expiration of that period, Tinubu said the governor, deputy governor, and all lawmakers will resume their duties immediately.
The President thanked the National Assembly for promptly approving the proclamation, praised traditional rulers and Rivers citizens for their cooperation, and acknowledged dissenting voices who challenged the measure in court. “That is the way it should be in a democratic setting,” he said.
Tinubu added that recent intelligence indicated “a new spirit of understanding and robust readiness” among political stakeholders in the state, making it unnecessary to extend the emergency rule.
He urged Rivers leaders to put aside their differences and focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. “It is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver to our people,” he said.
Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and Speaker Martins Amaewhule are expected to return to office on Thursday.
