By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced the lifting of the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, effective at midnight on September 17, 2025. He has directed the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately resume their duties on Thursday, September 18.
In a statement, the President explained that his decision was based on the return of peace and a new “spirit of understanding” among all political stakeholders in the state. He noted that when the state of emergency was declared on March 18, 2025, there was a complete breakdown of governance, with the executive and legislative branches in an intractable conflict that prevented the state from passing its budget.
Tinubu justified the initial declaration, stating that it was a “painfully inevitable” measure to prevent a “total collapse of public order.” He referenced a Supreme Court judgment that had previously stated there was “no government in Rivers State” due to the political gridlock.
The President thanked the National Assembly for its swift approval of the proclamation and acknowledged the support of traditional rulers and the people of Rivers State. He also addressed those who had challenged the emergency rule in court, stating that the power to declare such a measure is a “constitutional tool” to address threats to public safety.
President Tinubu concluded by urging all governors and state assemblies across the country to prioritize peace and stability. He stressed that a harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative branches is crucial for delivering the “dividends of democracy” to the people. He called on all stakeholders to let this realization guide their actions, stating that the expectations of the public will remain unfulfilled in an atmosphere of “violence, anarchy, and insecurity.” Sources