President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the end of the six-month state of emergency imposed on Rivers State, declaring that democratic governance will resume in the oil-rich state from Wednesday, September 18, 2025.
Tinubu, in a national broadcast from the State House on Wednesday, said the suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the State House of Assembly, which took effect on March 18, had run its course and would not be extended.
The President explained that the drastic measure, approved by the National Assembly, was taken to halt the paralysis of governance in the state following the bitter rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and 27 lawmakers loyal to Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
According to him, the political impasse had left Rivers without a functioning government, crippled legislative processes, and endangered key economic assets, including vital oil pipelines. He recalled that even the Supreme Court had, at the height of the crisis, declared that effective governance was absent in the state.
Tinubu noted that despite dissenting voices and over 40 legal challenges against the proclamation, the decision was necessary to forestall anarchy.
However, the President said intelligence reports now show a renewed spirit of cooperation among political actors in the state, making it possible to restore normal governance.
“I am happy today that there is a groundswell of understanding, readiness, and enthusiasm among stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance. Therefore, the emergency will end by midnight,” Tinubu said.
He confirmed that Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State Assembly will fully resume office on Thursday.
The President urged political leaders nationwide to learn from Rivers’ crisis and prioritize peace, order, and good governance in the interest of the people.
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