President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that the state of emergency declared in Rivers State will come to an end. He reinstated Siminalayi Fubara as Governor along with his deputy, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule. The measure takes effect from midnight of September 17, 2025, with official duties resuming September 18.
Tinubu reminded Nigerians and citizens of Rivers State that the emergency was first proclaimed on March 18, 2025 following severe breakdowns in governance. At that time the Governor and the State House of Assembly were locked in conflict, making it impossible to work cooperatively. Important state institutions, including oil pipelines, had been vandalised.
The State House of Assembly was deeply divided. Four legislators supported the Governor while 27 opposed him. The opposing group backed the official bearing the office of Speaker. Because of that division the governor could not present an Appropriation Bill. Without that bill there was no way to legally access funds needed for running the affairs of state. Governance was at a standstill.
Tinubu noted that the Supreme Court, in its rulings on several cases filed by both the executive and legislative arms, had declared that there was effectively no functioning government in Rivers State. Efforts by the President and others to mediate failed because each side refused to yield. The constitutional impasse and threat of public disorder led him to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The President expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for approving the state of emergency after evaluating the reasons. He also thanked traditional rulers and the people of Rivers State for their support during the entire emergency period.
Tinubu acknowledged that there were dissenting voices. More than forty lawsuits were filed in courts in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Yenagoa seeking to void the declaration. Some of those cases are still being heard. He argued that declaring a state of emergency is a constitutional tool meant to address breakdowns of public order and safety when ordinary government mechanisms fail.
He said that recent intelligence showed a growing willingness among stakeholders in Rivers State to move toward cooperation and democratic governance. Because of those signs he saw no justification for keeping the emergency longer than the original six-month term.
He however urged all State Governors and Legislatures across Nigeria to uphold peace, order and good governance. He affirmed that only under such conditions can democratic dividends reach the people. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Emmanuel Onwuka