Breaking: Tinubu lifts Rivers Emergency, restores Fubara, Assembly
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday announced the cessation of the state of emergency in Rivers State, restoring democratic governance six months after suspending both the executive and legislative arms of the state.
In a national broadcast, the President recalled that the emergency, declared on 18 March 2025, became necessary due to a “total paralysis of governance” caused by a protracted conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly.
“Critical economic assets of the State, including oil pipelines, were being vandalised. The House of Assembly was crisis-ridden, divided into two factions. Four members worked with the Governor, while 27 opposed him,” Tinubu said.
“Even the Supreme Court held that there was no government in Rivers State.”
The President noted that efforts by his office and “other well-meaning Nigerians” to reconcile the factions failed, forcing him to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to impose emergency rule.
The proclamation, which suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and Speaker Martins Amaewhule alongside other lawmakers, was initially set for six months.
Tinubu expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for approving the measure, and to the people of Rivers for their support, despite over 40 legal challenges.
“That is the way it should be in a democratic setting,” he said, while stressing that the proclamation was a constitutional necessity to prevent “anarchy” and restore public safety.
He praised what he described as “a new spirit of understanding, robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm” among Rivers stakeholders, adding: “I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced.”
The President declared that the emergency “shall end with effect from midnight today,” confirming that Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Assembly will return to their offices on 18 September 2025.
Issuing a broader reminder to other states, Tinubu said: “It is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver the dividends of democracy. I implore all of you to let this realisation drive your actions at all times.”
