President Bola Tinubu yesterday announced the end of the six-month emergency rule imposed on Rivers State, restoring Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly to office.
The President, in a 61-word declaration, said the emergency would end at midnight, with all democratic structures resuming duties from September 18, 2025. He explained that his decision was informed by intelligence reports indicating a “new spirit of understanding and readiness for peace” among political actors in the state.
Tinubu recalled that his March 18 proclamation was necessary because governance had collapsed, the legislature was fragmented, and critical assets such as oil pipelines faced vandalism. According to him, his intervention was to prevent the state from sliding into anarchy.
> “My intervention and that of other well-meaning Nigerians proved abortive as both sides stuck rigidly to their positions,” Tinubu said, noting that invoking Section 305 of the Constitution to suspend governance was inevitable at the time.
He added that with six months completed, peace restored, and stakeholders showing willingness to work together, there was no need to extend the emergency rule.
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Mixed Reactions Trail Lifting of Emergency Rule
The development generated both optimism and controversy across political and civic circles.
Drama at Government House: Earlier in the day, aides of the outgoing Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (rtd.), staged a protest at Government House, Port Harcourt, over alleged unpaid allowances. The protest was quelled by senior officials, while Ibas later traveled to Abuja for a meeting with the President. His media adviser described the atmosphere as calm despite viral videos of the protests.
Wike Applauds Tinubu: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, hailed Tinubu for “saving Rivers State” and praised his “commitment to peace and democracy.” He urged stakeholders to put the crisis behind them and focus on development.
PANDEF Urges Reflection: Prof. Godknows Igali, leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), described the six-month emergency as one of the darkest political chapters in Rivers history. He advised Fubara to immediately settle down to work, stressing that the people had suffered losses during the suspension.
INC Calls for Celebration: In contrast, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, urged Rivers indigenes to “roll out the drums” and celebrate Fubara’s return, saying the governor’s reinstatement was a victory for the people against those who wanted him sidelined until 2027.
PDP Demands Apology: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned Tinubu’s earlier suspension of Fubara, describing it as unconstitutional. Its Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, insisted the President owed Nigerians an apology for what he called “executive overreach.”
APC Courts Fubara: Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers offered Fubara the state leadership of the party if he defects from the PDP. Party leaders argued that aligning with the APC would give him political strength and ease governance.
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Ibas’ Controversial Tenure
Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (rtd.) had been sworn in as Sole Administrator on March 19, 2025, a day after Tinubu’s emergency proclamation. A retired naval chief and former High Commissioner to Ghana, Ibas pledged to restore law and order, but his administration dissolved boards, agencies, and even the State Independent Electoral Commission.
While he emphasized peace and stability, his critics accused him of ruling with a military-style approach and dismantling democratic structures. His aides’ last-minute protests over unpaid allowances underscored the controversies surrounding his exit.
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Uncertain Future for Fubara
As Governor Fubara prepares to resume office, questions linger about his political future. While the PDP is urging him to remain in its fold, the APC is dangling the carrot of party leadership. Political observers warn that whichever path he chooses could reignite tensions between him and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
For now, residents of Rivers State are waiting to see if the return of democratic governance will bring stability, progress, and much-needed development after six turbulent months under emergency rule.
