Tinubu Lifts Emergency Rule in Rivers, Mentions When Fubara Will Return as Governor

• President Tinubu has lifted the six-month state of emergency in Rivers state, directing the governor, deputy governor, and Assembly to resume on September 18
• He recalled that the March 2025 proclamation was due to paralysis of governance, vandalism of assets, and conflict between the governor and lawmakers
• Tinubu said stakeholders have shown readiness to restore democratic governance, urging harmony between the executive and the legislature

FCT, Abuja – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially lifted the six-month state of emergency imposed on Rivers state.

Speaking in a statement as shared by Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, September 17, Tinubu directed the governor, deputy governor and members of the State House of Assembly to return to their offices on Thursday, September 18.

Wike vs Fubara: Why state of emergency was declared

Speaking in a statement posted by his aide, Bayo Onanuga, via X, on Wednesday, September 17, Tinubu recalled that the proclamation of emergency rule on March 18, 2025 had been unavoidable due to a paralysis of governance in the state.

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“There was a total breakdown of relations between the governor and the House of Assembly, vandalism of critical economic assets, and a constitutional impasse that left governance at a standstill,” he said.

The president explained that his intervention came only after several failed attempts by mediators and stakeholders to reconcile the warring factions.

Rivers: Support and dissent during the period

Tinubu expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for their early ratification of the proclamation and the Rivers state people for their support.

He also welcomed the voices of opposition that went to court to challenge the declaration, referring to those efforts as part of democracy.

“The power to declare a state of emergency is a constitutional tool to address situations of actual or threatened breakdown of public order and safety. It would have been a colossal failure on my part not to act,” the president said.

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Tinubu explains why the decision was lifted

The president said intelligence reports showed a “groundswell of new understanding and enthusiasm among stakeholders” 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,” he noted.

Rivers leaders to resume duties

Tinubu declared that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, Speaker Martins Amaewhule and members of the State House of Assembly would reconvene their constitutional duties forthwith.

He called on political leaders throughout the nation to draw lessons from the Rivers crisis and make peace among the executive and legislative branches of government a priority.

“It is only in an environment of peace, stability and good government that we can give the dividend of democracy to citizens,” Tinubu stated.

Fubara told to join APC in Rivers

Previously, Legit.ng reported that the All Progressives Congress (APC) wooed the suspended governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara, to its fold, ahead of the planned reinstatement ceremony on Thursday, September 18.

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Breaking: Tinubu reveals why he lifted emergency rule in Rivers state

The reinstated spokesman of the APC in Rivers state, Darlington Nwauju, extended an open invitation to Governor Fubara when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, September 16.

Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng