Rivers Residents Celebrate Governor Fubara’s Return to Office
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — The streets of Port Harcourt erupted in jubilation on Thursday as thousands of residents trooped out to welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to office.
The celebrations followed President Bola Tinubu’s announcement on Wednesday, officially ending the emergency rule declared in Rivers State on March 18, 2025.
In a statement from the Presidency, Tinubu confirmed that Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule will fully resume their constitutional duties from September 18, 2025.
Supporters waving banners and singing solidarity songs lined major roads across Port Harcourt, describing the governor’s return as “a victory for democracy.”
Civil society groups and traditional rulers also expressed optimism that the lifting of the emergency rule would pave the way for peace and stability in the oil-rich state, which has been embroiled in political tension for months.
Governor Fubara is expected to address the state in a broadcast on Friday, outlining his administration’s next steps after six months under federal control.
