Tinubu Ends Emergency Rule In Rivers, Reinstates Fubara After Six Months
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially lifted the six-month state of emergency imposed on Rivers State, restoring Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly to office with immediate effect.
In a statement issued from the State House on Wednesday, Tinubu explained that the emergency, declared on 18 March 2025, was necessary at the time to halt what he described as a “total paralysis of governance” in the oil-rich state.
He noted that a bitter split in the state legislature had left governance at a standstill, with four lawmakers backing Governor Fubara and 27 aligning with Speaker Martins Amaewhule, making it impossible to pass an appropriation bill.
“The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity,” Tinubu warned.
The President thanked the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and Rivers people for their support during the emergency period, adding that intelligence reports now indicate stakeholders are ready to embrace peace and restore democratic governance.
With the emergency lifted, Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, Speaker Amaewhule and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are expected to resume duties on Thursday, 18 September 2025.
Tinubu urged leaders nationwide to draw lessons from the crisis, stressing that harmony between the executive and legislature remains essential for delivering the dividends of democracy.
