President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the state of emergency in Rivers State, six months after it was declared to address political and governance paralysis in the state.
Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday, announced that the emergency rule will officially end at midnight, September 17, 2025, paving the way for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and members of the State House of Assembly to resume their constitutional duties from September 18.
The President recalled that the emergency was proclaimed on March 18, 2025, following a breakdown of governance caused by the protracted crisis between the executive and legislative arms of the state.
According to him, the intervention became necessary after repeated efforts by him and other stakeholders to resolve the conflict failed.
Tinubu noted that the suspension of the governor, his deputy, and lawmakers for six months helped stabilise the state and prevent further drift into anarchy.
He thanked the National Assembly for promptly approving the proclamation, as well as traditional rulers and the people of Rivers State for their cooperation during the period.
While acknowledging dissenting voices who challenged the declaration in court, Tinubu said the constitutional provision for a state of emergency was invoked to safeguard public order and safety, which had collapsed at the height of the crisis.
He expressed optimism that political leaders in Rivers State had embraced a new spirit of understanding and readiness to restore democratic governance, adding that this informed his decision not to extend the emergency rule beyond the initial six months.
The President urged governors and state assemblies across the country to prioritise peace, order, and good governance, stressing that only in such an environment can the dividends of democracy be delivered to Nigerians.
The statement partly reads, “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.”
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