President Bola Tinubu has announced that the imposed state of emergency in Rivers State will cease at midnight on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
He said the six-month emergency rule, which began on March 18, 2025, was put in place to address a severe political crisis that paralyzed governance in the state.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu explained that his decision was prompted by a total breakdown of governance, which saw the executive and legislative arms of the state government unable to function together.
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He cited a Supreme Court judgment that described the situation as one where “no government” existed in Rivers State.
The crisis, he noted, had led to the suspension of the governor, deputy governor, and members of the State House of Assembly, as well as the vandalism of critical economic assets like oil pipelines.
Tinubu acknowledged that the state of emergency, which was approved by the National Assembly, was an extraordinary constitutional measure taken to restore peace and order.
He thanked the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and the people of Rivers State for their support during the period.
Citing new intelligence, the President expressed satisfaction with a “groundswell of a new spirit of understanding” among all stakeholders, indicating a strong desire for a return to democratic governance.
“I am happy today that, from the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance.
“This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it”, he said.
With the state of emergency now lifted, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and the members of the State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, are expected to resume their duties from September 18, 2025.
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The President called on all state governors and their respective Houses of Assembly across the country to prioritize a peaceful and harmonious working relationship to deliver the benefits of democracy to the people.
