Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is set to return to office on Thursday, September 18, 2025, following the suspension of the six-month State of Emergency imposed by President Bola Tinubu.
In March 2025, President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly, after an intense political standoff between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, escalated into a full-blown crisis.
The conflict, which began shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023, triggered months of legal battles, court orders, defections, violent incidents, and political maneuverings that culminated in the declaration of Emergency Rule.
Below is a chronological record of 60 key events that shaped the crisis in Rivers State.
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Key Events Leading to the Emergency Rule in Rivers State
October 29, 2023 — A section of the State House of Assembly was set ablaze by unidentified persons.
October 30, 2023 — The Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, suspended four members: Edison Ehie, Victor Oko Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, and Adolphus Timothy. Edison Ehie was removed as Leader of the House and replaced with Major Jack. The House also issued a notice of impeachment against Governor Fubara.
October 30, 2023 — In response, Edison Ehie declared himself Speaker, backed by the three suspended lawmakers.
October 31, 2023 — Youth leader Chijioke Ihunwo and others were arrested for invading Amaewhule’s residence.
November 1, 2023 — Justice O. B. Whyte of the Rivers State High Court granted an interim injunction restraining the Assembly from impeaching Governor Fubara.
November 9, 2023 — The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Phoebe M. Ayua, rejected Edison Ehie’s request to restrain Amaewhule from operating as Speaker.
November 30, 2023 — Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court issued a series of restraining orders, including one stopping the National Assembly from taking over Rivers Assembly’s functions, and barring the governor from interfering with the Assembly’s funds or staff. The Assembly was also protected from demolition.
December 11, 2023 — Amaewhule and 27 lawmakers allegedly defected to another political party.
December 12, 2023 — Justice M. W. Danagogo of the Rivers High Court granted Edison Ehie interim authority to hold Assembly sittings without interference.
December 13, 2023 — Governor Fubara demolished the Assembly complex. Ehie declared vacant the seats of defected members and, relying on the court’s order, presided over the presentation and signing of the state budget.
December 14, 2023 — Several commissioners resigned from Fubara’s cabinet.
December 15, 2023 — Ehie wrote to INEC declaring the seats of defected lawmakers vacant.
December 18, 2023 — Justice D. U. Ukorowo of the Federal High Court stopped INEC from conducting bye-elections for the Assembly seats. That same day, an 8-point peace resolution was brokered by President Tinubu and signed by all parties.
December 20, 2023 — The Assembly formally withdrew the impeachment notice against Fubara.
December 31, 2023 — Edison Ehie resigned from the Assembly.
January 1, 2024 — Fubara publicly declared he was “governing with the Red Biro” despite political opposition.
January 4, 2024 — Ehie withdrew a contempt suit against the Assembly members.
January 17, 2024 — The nine commissioners who resigned were re-screened and confirmed by the Assembly.
January 22, 2024 — Justice J. K. Omotosho nullified the budget earlier passed by Edison Ehie and signed by Fubara.
January 26, 2024 — The Assembly amended the Local Government Law, stripping the governor of powers to appoint caretaker chairmen.
January 29, 2024 — Fubara swore in Edison Ehie as Chief of Staff along with Special Advisers, without Assembly approval. The Assembly accused the governor of violating the Constitution.
April 2024 — Fubara withheld Local Government funds for three months.
May 6, 2024 — Fubara declared that the Amaewhule-led Assembly no longer existed.
May 8, 2024 — Victor Oko Jumbo declared himself Speaker, supported by Sokari Goodboy and Adolphus Timothy.
May 10, 2024 — Fubara relocated the Oko Jumbo faction to Government House. Justice C. N. Wali later granted an injunction allowing Oko Jumbo to operate.
May 13, 2024 — Fubara appointed a new Attorney General, screened only by Oko Jumbo and two others.
May 15, 2024 — More commissioners resigned from Fubara’s cabinet.
May 21, 2024 — Justice D. G. Kio voided the amended RSIEC Local Government Law. On the same day, Fubara appointed new commissioners.
June 10, 2024 — Justice Okogbule Gbasam ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction over the defection cases against Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers.
June 14, 2024 — The Court of Appeal ordered that the status quo be maintained in Amaewhule’s appeal against Justice Wali’s order.
June 19, 2024 — Fubara swore in 23 caretaker chairmen for local governments, screened by Oko Jumbo’s faction.
June 25, 2024 — A dynamite exploded near the Presidential Hotel during a protest by a pro-Wike solidarity group.
July 4, 2024 — The Court of Appeal reinstated Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers.
July 8, 2024 — Justice Stephens Jumbo issued an order barring the Chief Judge and Clerk from recognizing Amaewhule’s faction. The same day, the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling voiding the Local Government Extension Law.
July 9, 2024 — Amaewhule’s Assembly gave Fubara a 7-day ultimatum to re-present the 2024 budget.
July 15, 2024 — The Assembly shut down state expenditure through a resolution, formally notifying the governor.
July 19, 2024 — Justice Peter Lifu stopped INEC from releasing the voters register to RSIEC.
August 12, 2024 — Fubara swore in new commissioners.
September 4, 2024 — Justice I. P. C. Igwe ordered RSIEC to conduct elections using the 2023 register.
September 20, 2024 — The Federal High Court dismissed the APP’s defection suit against Amaewhule and his group.
September 30, 2024 — Justice Lifu barred INEC and the Police from releasing the voters register or conducting elections.
October 5, 2024 — Despite the order, RSIEC conducted local government elections.
October 6, 2024 — Fubara inaugurated the elected local government chairmen.
October 7, 2024 — Police unsealed the 23 LG secretariats after four months.
October 10, 2024 — The Court of Appeal upheld Omotosho’s judgment, declaring Amaewhule’s Assembly legitimate.
October 15, 2024 — The Assembly declared four seats vacant for absenteeism.
October 30, 2024 — Justice Joyce Abdumalik froze Rivers’ account due to lack of an appropriation law.
December 13, 2024 — The Court of Appeal nullified Abdumalik’s order, unfreezing the state’s account.
February 10, 2025 — The Supreme Court dismissed Fubara’s appeal against the budget ruling.
February 28, 2025 — The Supreme Court issued a final judgment:
Recognized Martins Amaewhule as Speaker.
Nullified all actions taken by Oko Jumbo and his faction.
Upheld freezing of state accounts and allocations.
Nullified the 2024 local government elections.
March 11, 2025 — PANDEF met with President Tinubu to discuss the Rivers crisis.
March 14, 2025 — The Amaewhule-led Assembly served Fubara an impeachment notice.
March 18, 2025 — President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
This turbulent two-year political battle weakened governance in Rivers State and led to an unprecedented federal intervention. With the suspension of Emergency Rule, all eyes are now on Governor Fubara as he resumes office, to see whether he can stabilize his administration and reconcile the deep political divisions in the state.
