BREAKING: President Tinubu Lifts State of Emergency in Rivers State
ABUJA –President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially lifted the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight today, restoring full political authority to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s House of Assembly.
The announcement was made in a national address on Thursday, September 17th, exactly six months after the presidential proclamation was first declared on March 18th, 2025.
In his statement, President Tinubu recounted the “total paralysis of governance” that necessitated the extreme measure. He cited a bitter political feud between the executive and legislative arms that had brought government functions to a standstill, preventing the passage of a budget and crippling the state’s administration. The crisis was so severe that the Supreme Court, in a ruling on the disputes, noted there was “no government in Rivers State.”
“It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation,” Tinubu stated, defending his use of constitutional powers under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
The President acknowledged the legal challenges to his decision—over 40 cases were filed in various courts—but stated that such dissent is part of a healthy democracy. He expressed his gratitude to the National Assembly for its approval, as well as to traditional rulers and citizens of Rivers State for their support during the emergency period.
The key reason for the reversal, according to the President, is a significant shift in the political climate. He cited intelligence indicating a “groundswell of a new spirit of understanding” and a “robust readiness” among all stakeholders in the state to return to democratic governance.
“I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it,” he declared.
With the lifting of the order, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martins Amaewhule are to resume their offices effective Friday, September 18th, 2025.
President Tinubu concluded his address with a warning to all state governments across the federation, urging them to learn from the Rivers crisis and prioritise harmonious relationships to deliver democratic dividends to the people.
The move is expected to be met with relief in Rivers State, though attention will now turn to whether the warring political factions can sustain the reported truce and work together effectively.
