By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The six-month political vacuum in Rivers State has ended as President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced the lifting of emergency rule, reinstating Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly.
With the declaration, the oil-rich state returns to democratic governance after months of federal control following a fierce power struggle that pitched Fubara against a divided legislature.
The President, in a nationwide broadcast, said his decision was guided by the need to preserve peace and restore democratic order. “From midnight today, Rivers State shall once again be governed by its elected leaders,” Tinubu declared.
The emergency was imposed on March 18 after violent clashes between 27 pro-Martins Amaewhule lawmakers and four pro-Fubara legislators threatened to cripple governance in the state. The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling, had described the state as “ungovernable,” paving the way for federal intervention.
Tinubu defended his decision at the time, saying ignoring the court’s observations would have amounted to negligence. “I acted under Section 305 of the Constitution to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order,” he explained.
During the period, a federal administrator managed the affairs of the state, with both the governor’s office and the Assembly suspended. The move triggered over 40 lawsuits across Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa, as political actors tested the legality of the proclamation.
While critics described the intervention as an overreach, allies of the President argued that the measure averted bloodshed. Traditional rulers and community leaders also appealed for calm, urging political actors to sheath their swords.
By lifting the proclamation, Tinubu signaled confidence that warring factions have found common ground. “I am satisfied that there is a new spirit of understanding among Rivers leaders, and there is no reason to extend the emergency beyond six months,” he said.
The reinstatement of Governor Fubara and the Assembly now sets the stage for a fresh political contest, with both sides expected to test their influence in the coming weeks.
Analysts believe Fubara’s return will either consolidate his control over the state or reopen old wounds if reconciliation efforts falter. “The lifting of the emergency is not the end—it’s the beginning of another political test,” a Port Harcourt-based observer told our correspondent.
For many Rivers residents, however, the focus is on governance, not political battles. “We just want to see roads, schools, and jobs, not endless fighting,” said Gift Okechukwu, a resident of Obio/Akpor.
As Rivers returns to civil rule, the nation will be watching whether the fragile truce holds or whether the state risks sliding once again into crisis.