Tinubu Ends Emergency Rule in Rivers State, Restores Governor and Legislature

President Bola Tinubu has lifted the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, reinstating Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly. The decision comes after the political crisis that paralyzed governance in the oil-rich Niger Delta region was deemed resolved.

What Led to the Emergency

• On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to a deadlock between the state governor and members of the legislature. Budget approvals stalled and critical governance functions were disrupted.
• Security challenges aggravated the situation, including repeated acts of pipeline vandalism, which threatened oil production and the state’s economy.
• The governor, his deputy, and the 31-member House of Assembly were suspended. A retired navy officer, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, was appointed as administrator to oversee state affairs during the emergency period.

Why It’s Being Lifted

• According to the presidency, recent intelligence indicates a renewed willingness among Rivers State political actors to cooperate and restore democratic order.
• President Tinubu stated that the conditions that prompted the emergency—paralysed government, security threats, and legislative stalemate—have shown signs of improvement.
• The emergency rule was set for six months and is being ended immediately from midnight on September 17. The governor, deputy governor, and lawmakers are scheduled to resume work on September 18, 2025.

Constitutional & Political Details

• The emergency declaration was made under Section 305 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, allowing intervention in exceptional situations where public safety or democratic order is threatened.
• The Senate and House of Representatives had formally approved the emergency rule earlier in the year.
• The judiciary remained operational during the emergency.

What It Means for Rivers State & Nigeria

• Return to Democratic Governance: The lifting of the emergency restores the mandate of elected officials, reaffirming democratic norms in the state.
• Governance Resumption: Functions such as budget approval, local legislations, and daily administrative operations should resume, which may improve public services and reduce governance vacuum.
• Security and Oil Economy: With local government restored, there is hope for a better coordinated response to oil pipeline vandalism and other security issues that affect revenue and stability in the region.
• Precedent for State-Federal Relations: The episode underscores how serious political disputes between state executive and legislative bodies can provoke federal intervention—setting a precedent for how such crises might be handled in the future.

What Citizens Should Know

• Residents can expect normal governmental services to begin returning, including local projects, payments, and public works that may have been delayed.
• There may still be legal and political tensions; over 40 court cases had been filed challenging the emergency rule, some may still be pending.
• Citizens should monitor how quickly state institutions resume full accountability, transparency, and representation. A restored government doesn’t always mean an instant resolution of all administrative or social issues.