Tinubu Ends Six-Month Emergency Rule In Rivers State

BY STEPHEN CHUKS 

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally lifted the six-month state of emergency imposed on Rivers State, paving the way for the full restoration of democratic governance in the oil-rich State.

The emergency rule, declared on March 18, 2025, followed a bitter political standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly, which resulted in governance paralysis, a budget impasse, and heightened security concerns.

Effective September 18, 2025, Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and all suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly—including the Speaker—are expected to resume their official duties.

President Tinubu explained that the situation in Rivers had “sufficiently improved” to allow for the reinstatement of elected leaders and a return to constitutional order.

“The conditions that necessitated emergency intervention no longer exist. Governance has stabilized, and institutions can now function without federal oversight,” the President said in a statement.

Why It Matters

•Restores Democracy: Rivers’ elected leaders are back in charge, reinforcing constitutional rule.

•Strengthens Institutions: Signals federal confidence that state actors can now resolve disputes peacefully.

•Rule of Law in Action: Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers emergency declarations, has been set aside in favor of democratic norms.

•National Precedent: Sets an example for how Abuja might handle similar state-level crises in the future.

•Public Confidence: Reassures Rivers people and Nigerians that democracy—not prolonged emergency rule—remains the foundation of governance.

With the lifting of emergency rule, political watchers say attention will now turn to how Governor Fubara and the Rivers Assembly manage their renewed working relationship under Nigeria’s democratic framework.