President Bola Tinubu has lifted the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, announcing that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu and the State House of Assembly members will return to office from Thursday, September 18, 2025.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Presidency, Tinubu explained that the emergency rule—first imposed on March 18, 2025—was introduced to address what he described as a “complete breakdown of governance” in the state.
“I am pleased to declare that the emergency in Rivers State ends at midnight today,” the President said.
He recalled that a bitter rift between Governor Fubara and 27 lawmakers loyal to the House Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, had crippled the state’s political structure. At the time, the Supreme Court even remarked that Rivers effectively had “no government.”
According to Tinubu, invoking Section 305 of the amended 1999 Constitution became unavoidable to avert anarchy. Under that order, the governor, deputy governor and Assembly members were suspended for an initial six months, which expires on September 17, 2025.
The President said the action, backed by the National Assembly, was taken to restore peace and order. Despite more than 40 legal challenges, he maintained it was constitutionally sound and necessary to protect the state.
Tinubu also noted what he called a “new spirit of understanding” among political players in Rivers, which he believes makes it possible to end the emergency on schedule.
“Intelligence available to me shows a strong readiness and enthusiasm among stakeholders for an immediate return to democratic governance. This is a welcome and significant development,” he said.
He urged governors and state assemblies nationwide to maintain cooperation between the executive and legislative arms to deliver the dividends of democracy.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) has been the sole administrator of Rivers State since the emergency rule began.
