President Bola Tinubu has officially lifted the six-month emergency order in Rivers State and has restored Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly to their constitutional positions.
The emergency order was declared on March 18 following a prolonged power tussle between the governor and the legislature which halted governance, appropriated budget approvals and prevented essential public service delivery.
In announcing the end of the intervention, Tinubu said fresh intelligence indicated a “new spirit of cooperation” among political actors. He stated that the order could now be restored to democratic order and that the emergency order would be lifted at midnight on September 18, 2025.
The president recalled that Rivers was crippled by division. Only four House members were supporting the governor, while 27 other lawmakers were aligned with the Speaker to oppose him. This impasse prevented the passage of the appropriation bill, making the State unable to access public funds. The Supreme Court noted that Rivers was effectively functioning without a government.
He also explained that under Section 305 of the Constitution, it was not possible for him to turn a blind eye and that it was clear to him that not to do so would mean abdicating his responsibility. He thanked the National Assembly for moving swiftly to approve the proclamation. Tinubu also acknowledged the benevolence of traditional rulers and the support of Rivers state citizens during this difficult time.
However, he acknowledged that not everyone approved of the measure, citing over 40 outstanding court cases in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa. This, he believes, reflects the essence of democracy; however, the declaration’s primary goal was to protect peace and stability.
With the emergency order now lifted, all eyes will be on Governor Fubara and the Assembly to demonstrate cooperation and gain back trust in the process of recovering and rebuilding. For many, the end of federal control over the state is a welcome relief, and there is hope of achieving a reasonable position for collaborative governance.
Despite the end of federal control, challenges remain. Patience and unity will be required to restore confidence, strengthen institutions, and ensure the continuity of public services. Citizens across Rivers expect their leaders to demonstrate the ability to work beyond political rivalry in order to deliver democratic dividends.
The end of emergency rule marks the end of a chapter. How this plays out in terms of stability and progress will be determined by Governor Fubara, the Assembly, and those in the political class’s willingness to work together in the coming months.
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