President Bola Tinubu has ended the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, clearing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly to resume duties effective September 18, 2025.
Announcing the decision in a nationwide broadcast on Wednesday, Tinubu recalled declaring the emergency on March 18 after “a total paralysis of governance” crippled the state. He cited vandalised oil infrastructure, legislative divisions—four lawmakers backing the governor against 27 aligned with Speaker Martins Amaewhule—and stalled governance, including failure to present a budget.
“Even the Supreme Court… held that there was no government in Rivers State,” Tinubu said, adding that mediation efforts had failed, forcing him to invoke Section 305 of the Constitution.
Thanking the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and citizens for their support, Tinubu also acknowledged dissenters who filed over 40 court challenges. “That is the way it should be in a democratic setting,” he noted, emphasizing the move prevented a breakdown of order.
With “a new spirit of understanding” among stakeholders, Tinubu declared the emergency would end at midnight and urged leaders nationwide to prioritise peace and good governance.