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.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are trading barbs over what the PDP calls premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.

According to reports, several groups including opposition governors have thrown their support behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.

At a summit in Abuja several months ago, APC governors, party officials, and members of the National Assembly officially adopted Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate.

At the same time, former legislators and party leaders from all six geopolitical zones gathered in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and also endorsed Tinubu’s re‑election bid during the 2025 Southern Summit.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP accused the APC of being desperate, claiming the ruling party is seeking endorsements prematurely in order to shore up support.

“The president and APC are looking for endorsement,” Ologunagba alleged.

APC, however, has dismissed those claims. Seye Oladejo, the Lagos State APC spokesman, derided the PDP, saying, “The only people in panic mode are those with an empty shell called a party… For APC, the journey continues. For PDP, the panic continues.”

Oladejo also accused PDP of lack of cohesion and being reduced to “shopping” for candidates due to its perceived weak structure.

Political analysts interviewed by Daily Trust suggest that both parties are more focused on power dynamics than addressing the real issues facing Nigerians.

Professor Hassan Saliu of the Nigerian Political Science Association says that politicians usually centre their efforts around retaining power, often neglecting governance or meeting citizens’ needs.

Professor Sikiru Lanre Nurudeen of Al‑Hikmah University also noted that early campaign moves by APC reflect an attempt to influence opinion and build leverage ahead of official electoral processes.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that its 2027 presidential ticket is open to aspirants from all regions of Nigeria, even as zoning to the South remains a guiding factor.

Dr. Gbenga Olawepo‑Hashim, a technocrat and politician from the North‑Central, has welcomed the decision, seeing it as vindication of his longstanding arguments for fairness and inclusion.

Prominent analyst Udenta Udenta emphasized that unity among opposition parties will be critical to challenge the ruling APC.

Without cohesion especially between PDP and the Labour Party, he warned, the APC could maintain its hold on power.

National Legal Adviser of PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade, clarified on Arise Television that while zoning remains an important tool, it should not override the Constitution, which guarantees citizens everywhere the right to seek elective office.

Supporters of Olawepo‑Hashim have described the party’s stance as a victory for democracy and inclusivity.