President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the termination of the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, which will take effect at midnight today.
In a signed statement, the President declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly will resume their official duties today, September 18, 2025.
The President reflected on the reasons for declaring the emergency rule on March 18, 2025. He cited a complete breakdown of governance in the state, which stemmed from an inability of the Governor and the State House of Assembly to work together.
This constitutional impasse left critical economic infrastructure, such as oil pipelines, vulnerable to vandalism and prevented the Governor from presenting an Appropriation Bill, which brought the state’s administration to a halt.
Tinubu explained that his intervention, along with that of other prominent Nigerians, to mediate the conflict was unsuccessful as both sides maintained their rigid positions, jeopardizing peace and development.
He stated that it was a “painfully inevitable” necessity to invoke the powers granted to him by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to prevent the state from descending into anarchy.
The offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the House of Assembly were suspended for an initial period of six months, which concludes today.
The President expressed his satisfaction with the recent progress, noting that intelligence reports indicate a “new spirit of understanding” and a “robust readiness” among all stakeholders in Rivers State to immediately return to democratic governance. He believes this is a welcome and significant achievement.
While acknowledging the dissent and legal challenges that followed the proclamation, he emphasized that the power to declare a state of emergency is a constitutional tool designed to address situations of public disorder and to restore peace.
He concluded by reminding governors and state houses of assembly across the country that peaceful and cooperative relationships between the executive and legislative branches are essential for delivering the benefits of democracy to the populace.
Recall the state of emergency in Rivers State was declared by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, due to a significant political crisis that had brought governance to a standstill.
This conflict, which left the Governor and the State House of Assembly unable to work together, was so severe that even the Supreme Court noted that the state effectively had no government.
The emergency rule, which suspended the governor, his deputy, and all elected lawmakers, was imposed to restore peace and order.
