…Fubara, Odu, others to resume office
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially ended the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, allowing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, to resume their duties from September 18, 2025.
Tinubu made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday.
The President recalled that on March 18, 2025, he declared the state of emergency due to a total paralysis of governance in Rivers State.
According to Tinubu, the Governor and the House of Assembly were unable to collaborate, leaving critical state operations stalled.
The situation included vandalism of economic assets such as oil pipelines and a divided House of Assembly, which had blocked the presentation of appropriation bills. The Supreme Court had even held that there was effectively no functioning government in the state.
He commended the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and the people of Rivers State for supporting the emergency declaration. While some voices of dissent challenged the move in court, the President emphasised that the emergency was a constitutional tool designed to restore public order and safety.
The President further noted that intelligence indicated a “new spirit of understanding” among stakeholders in Rivers State, creating readiness for an immediate return to democratic governance.
He affirmed that the emergency would not extend beyond the original six-month period, signalling a return to normalcy and the resumption of democratic processes.
In his address, Tinubu urged governors and assemblies nationwide to prioritise peace, order, and good governance, stressing that democracy can only deliver its dividends when political actors cooperate and act responsibly.
