PORTHACOURT: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally lifted the six-month State of Emergency imposed on Rivers State, directing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly to resume duties with effect from September 18, 2025.
president Tinubu had declared the emergency in March after a bitter political rift between the governor and the Assembly plunged the state into paralysis.
The crisis split lawmakers, stalled the passage of budgets, and, according to the President, left Rivers without a functioning government.
He invoked Section 305 of the Constitution to suspend the elected officials for six months, a decision that was strongly criticised by the Nigerian Bar Association and several civil society groups, who argued that the President lacked constitutional powers to suspend elected officers.
Announcing the end of the emergency on Wednesday, Mr Tinubu admitted the proclamation was controversial but maintained that it was necessary to avert anarchy and protect vital oil assets.
He thanked the National Assembly for backing his declaration and commended Rivers citizens for their resilience throughout the period.
From the intelligence available to me, there is now a new spirit of understanding and readiness for reconciliation in Rivers State, the President said. It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency shall end with effect from midnight today.”
With this decision, Governor Fubara, his deputy, and Speaker Martins Amaewhule will resume their offices immediately.
Tinubu urged both arms of government in Rivers to prioritise peace and governance, reminding leaders nationwide that democracy can only thrive in an atmosphere of order.
