The Rivers State House of Assembly reconvened on Thursday following the expiration of the six-month state of emergency earlier imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu.

The emergency rule, declared in March 2025 at the peak of a political crisis, led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state legislature.

However, President Tinubu on Wednesday lifted the emergency measures, directing the governor, his deputy, and lawmakers to resume official duties immediately.

Thursday’s plenary session was held at the Assembly Residential Complex along the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway and presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.

This marks the first legislative sitting since March 12, 2025, just days before the emergency rule was enforced.

While the assembly resumed legislative business, Governor Fubara was yet to return to the Government House as of press time.

Nonetheless, a large crowd of supporters gathered outside the seat of power in anticipation of his arrival.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described Nigeria as a clear case of a democracy in decline, citing rising unaccountability and elite domination of the political space.

Obi made the statement on Wednesday while speaking at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Annual Democracy Dialogue held in Accra, Ghana.

The event, themed “What Makes Democracy Die?”, attracted leaders, scholars, and advocates of democratic governance from across Africa.

According to the former Anambra State governor, democracy begins to erode when it fails to serve the interests of the people.

“Democracy is fundamentally about accountability, about putting the people first, ensuring security, quality education, healthcare, and lifting citizens out of poverty,” Obi said.

“It begins to die when leaders stop being accountable and when the system no longer prioritises the needs of the people.”

Obi expressed concern that in Nigeria, the democratic process has been hijacked by elites who use public office primarily to access resources for personal or familial benefit, rather than for the public good.

He urged Nigerian citizens to be more deliberate in choosing leaders, stressing the importance of electing individuals who possess competence, character, capacity, compassion and a strong commitment to public service.

The former presidential candidate also took aim at the recently ended emergency rule in Rivers State, which was lifted on Wednesday by President Bola Tinubu.

He described the six-month intervention as a “constitutional misstep” and a setback to democratic practice.

“The disruption of democratic governance in Rivers State for six months was entirely avoidable. Its restoration, while welcome, remains a troubling chapter in Nigeria’s democratic journey,” Obi noted. “I hope key lessons were learned by all the actors involved.”

He emphasized that true leadership demands the courage to admit errors, learn from them and make necessary corrections to protect the integrity of the democratic system.

Port Harcourt came alive on Thursday as residents celebrated the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara after his six‑month suspension under the state of emergency. His return, authorized by President Bola Tinubu, sparked public joy and the revival of state institutions.

From as early as 7 am, supporters thronged the roads leading to the Government House, the State Secretariat, and nearby streets. Masquerades danced, musicians performed, and people flocked to Port Harcourt International Airport to await the Governor’s arrival.

“This is a new dawn for Rivers State,” declared one lively supporter near the Brick House, amid cheers and applause.

During Fubara’s absence, political turbulence had disrupted normal governance.

With the lifting of the emergency rule, administration across all arms resumed, starting with the judiciary.

Courts, which had been on annual vacation since July 21, reopened on September 17 as the Chief Registrar, David Ihua‑Maduenyi, called for lawyers and litigants to return to regular duties.

In addition, plans are underway for the State Assembly to reconvene soon.

Sources say lawmakers will soon resume sittings, tackling pending issues and re‑establishing their legislative oversight.

Political observers cautioned, however, that letting serious breaches of constitutional norms go unchallenged could set dangerous precedents.

Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, an APC analyst, warned that ongoing public passivity in the face of political overreach could weaken democracy in Nigeria.

Governor Fubara is expected to officially resume his duties on Friday.

According to his aides, his immediate priority will be restoring administrative stability and focusing on development projects that were put on hold during the six‑month suspension.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared ₦2.225 trillion among the Federal Government, states and local government councils as federation revenue for August 2025, the highest monthly allocation in Nigeria’s history.

This marks the second consecutive month that FAAC allocations have surpassed the ₦2 trillion mark, reflecting a steady rise in government earnings.

The announcement was made in Abuja following FAAC’s monthly meeting, where officials attributed the increased revenue to improved oil and gas royalties, Value Added Tax (VAT) collections, and Common External Tariff (CET) levies.

Gross federation revenue: ₦3.635 trillion

Deductions:

₦124.839 billion (cost of collection)

Other deductions (interventions, refunds, and savings): Amount unspecified

Net distributable revenue: ₦2.225 trillion

Revenue Source Amount (₦)

Statutory Revenue 1.478 trillion
Value Added Tax (VAT) 672.903 billion
Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) 32.338 billion
Exchange Difference 41.284 billion

From Statutory Revenue (₦1.478 trillion):

Federal Government: ₦684.462 billion

State Governments: ₦347.168 billion

Local Government Councils: ₦267.652 billion

Derivation to Oil-Producing States (13%): ₦179.311 billion

From VAT (₦672.903 billion):

Federal Government: ₦100.935 billion

States: ₦336.452 billion

Local Governments: ₦235.516 billion

From EMTL (₦32.338 billion):

Federal Government: ₦4.851 billion

States: ₦16.169 billion

Local Governments: ₦11.318 billion

From Exchange Difference (₦41.284 billion):

Federal Government: ₦19.799 billion

States: ₦10.042 billion

Local Governments: ₦7.742 billion

Oil-Producing States (Derivation): ₦3.701 billion

According to the FAAC communique, a total of ₦285.845 billion was earmarked for transfers, interventions, refunds and savings, while 13% of mineral revenue was allocated as derivation to oil-producing states.

Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has officially concluded his tenure as the interim administrator of Rivers State, following the end of the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.

In a state-wide broadcast aired at 7am on Thursday, Ibas formally announced his departure, marking the conclusion of a controversial but stabilizing period in the state’s political terrain.

At a farewell ceremony held Wednesday evening, Ibas performed his final official duty, the swearing-in of Mrs. Inyingi Brown as the substantive Head of Service of Rivers State.

Brown had been serving in an acting capacity following the resignation of the former Head of Service, George Nwaeke.

Ibas charged her to extend the same level of loyalty and professionalism to Governor Siminalayi Fubara as she did under the interim government.

Reflecting on his time in office, Ibas highlighted the restoration of peace and renewed public trust in government institutions as key accomplishments of his administration.

He described peace as the foundation of his stewardship and urged the incoming administration to build on that legacy.

President Tinubu’s decision to end the emergency rule was widely expected after recent reconciliatory efforts between Governor Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The political crisis that led to the suspension of Fubara and key lawmakers had drawn national attention and sparked intense debate over constitutional boundaries.