President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially lifted the state of emergency in Rivers State, restoring full democratic governance after a six-month constitutional crisis.
The emergency, declared on March 18, 2025, followed a severe political deadlock between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state legislature.
According to the President, the paralysis of governance led to the breakdown of essential state functions, with economic assets like oil pipelines being vandalized and the budget process completely stalled.
At the heart of the crisis was a split in the House of Assembly: only four lawmakers supported Governor Fubara, while 27 backed Speaker Martins Amaewhule, preventing the passage of any appropriation bill.
“This led to a total collapse of governance in the state,” President Tinubu explained in a statement released Wednesday.
Citing constitutional authority under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, Tinubu said he had no choice but to suspend the governor, his deputy and all members of the House of Assembly in March, after efforts at reconciliation failed.
The National Assembly later approved the emergency proclamation.
Now, Tinubu says conditions in the state have improved, with key political actors showing readiness to restore peace and resume governance.
As a result, the suspension has been lifted, effective Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Officials expected to resume office immediately include; Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, Speaker Martins Amaewhule and All 31 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
President Tinubu thanked Nigerians, traditional rulers, and stakeholders for their support during the emergency period.
He also acknowledged critics who challenged the legality of the move, stating that dissent is healthy in a democracy.
In his closing remarks, the President urged all Nigerian leaders to draw lessons from the Rivers crisis.
“Democracy can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, order, and mutual respect,” Tinubu emphasized.
“Let us always remember that the people elected us to serve them,not to fight among ourselves.”
