President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the end of the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, restoring democratic governance and directing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, to resume duties effective September 18, 2025.
The President, in a national address delivered from the State House on Tuesday, September 17, said his decision followed “a groundswell of new spirit of understanding, robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance.”
Tinubu recalled that the emergency was declared on March 18, 2025, after what he described as “a total paralysis of governance” in the oil-rich state, marked by deep divisions between the governor and a majority of lawmakers, vandalism of economic assets, and a legislative impasse that crippled government operations.
He explained that his proclamation, made under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, had been necessary to prevent anarchy after efforts to mediate the conflict failed. The move saw the suspension of the governor, deputy governor, and all elected lawmakers for six months.
The President commended the National Assembly for approving the declaration, thanked traditional rulers and citizens of Rivers State for their support, and acknowledged dissenting voices that challenged the decision in courts across the country, noting that such legal actions were consistent with democratic practice.
Tinubu stressed that the intervention achieved its purpose, saying:
“I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it. It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today.”
He urged political leaders across Nigeria to take lessons from the Rivers State crisis, reminding them that peace, order, and cooperation between the executive and legislature are essential for delivering the dividends of democracy.
“Let this realisation drive your actions at all times,” he told governors and lawmakers nationwide.
