Jubilation erupted across Rivers State as President Bola Tinubu announced the end of the state of emergency, which had been in effect for six months.1 In a statement, President Tinubu declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly would be restored to their offices, effective midnight on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.2
Background to the Crisis
The political crisis in Rivers State stemmed from a deep-seated feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.3 The dispute paralyzed governance, with the state House of Assembly becoming a focal point of the power struggle.4 The legislature was divided, with 27 members loyal to Wike and a minority of four supporting Fubara.5 This led to a constitutional gridlock, including a halt on the state’s budget process, and a series of legal battles and political maneuvers.
The escalating tension and a breakdown of law and order, including threats to vital oil installations, led President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on March 18, 2025.6 The declaration, which was approved by the National Assembly, suspended all democratic institutions in the state and appointed a sole administrator to manage its affairs.7
Reasons for Reinstatement
In his statement, President Tinubu explained that the intervention, while “painfully inevitable,” was necessary to “arrest the drift towards anarchy” and restore order.8 He noted that the six-month period had allowed for a “groundswell of a new spirit of understanding” among the stakeholders.9 He expressed his pleasure that the conditions that necessitated the emergency no longer existed, justifying the immediate end to the rule at its expiration.10
The president used the opportunity to urge governors and state houses of assembly across the country to prioritize harmonious working relationships, stating that the delivery of democratic dividends is only possible in an “atmosphere of peace, order and good government.”11
Public Reaction
The news was met with widespread celebration in Port Harcourt, the state capital, and other parts of Rivers State.12 Residents, who had been under the administrative rule for six months, expressed their relief and joy at the return to democratic governance.13
The end of the emergency rule marks a new phase for Rivers State politics, as Governor Fubara and the reinstated House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, are expected to resume their duties and confront the challenges of governance after a long period of political paralysis.14
