President Bola Tinubu has announced the end of the state of emergency in Rivers state, six months after it was declared to halt what he described as a “total paralysis of governance” in the oil-rich state.
In a statement issued Wednesday evening, Tinubu said the emergency—proclaimed on March 18, 2025—will expire at midnight, paving the way for the immediate reinstatement of Siminalayi Fubara, the governor, Ngozi Nma Odu, the deputy, and members of the Rivers state house of assembly.
“It gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State shall end with effect from midnight today,” the president said.
Tinubu commended the national assembly, Rivers’ traditional rulers, and residents for supporting the extraordinary measure, which he said became necessary after a bitter rift between the governor and state lawmakers brought governance to a standstill and even prompted a Supreme Court observation that “there was no government in Rivers State.”
The president noted that intelligence reports show “a new spirit of understanding and readiness” among political actors in the state, making the extension of the emergency “unnecessary.”
He urged political leaders nationwide to learn from Rivers’ crisis and work for “peace, order and good government” to deliver the dividends of democracy.
Fubara, his deputy, and speaker Martins Amaewhule are expected to resume their official duties on Thursday, September 18.
