President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced the end of the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, declaring that Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other suspended elected officials will resume their offices effective September 18, 2025.

The proclamation, which took effect at midnight on September 17, restores democratic governance in the state after months of federal control.

In a national broadcast, Tinubu said intelligence reports confirmed that political stakeholders in Rivers had shown “a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm” to end the impasse that had crippled governance in the state.

“This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. 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,” the President declared.

Tinubu had proclaimed a state of emergency on March 18, 2025, citing a constitutional crisis that brought government activities in Rivers to a halt. At the time, the House of Assembly was sharply divided, with four members loyal to Governor Fubara and 27 backing Speaker Martins Amaewhule.

The rift made it impossible for the governor to present an appropriation bill or access funds to run the state. Oil pipelines and other critical assets were also being vandalised amid rising political violence.

The Supreme Court, ruling on disputes between the executive and legislative arms, had even declared that “there was no government in Rivers State.” Attempts by the Presidency and other stakeholders to broker peace failed, prompting Tinubu to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to suspend the governor, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and the Assembly for six months.

Tinubu thanked the National Assembly for promptly approving the proclamation and commended traditional rulers and residents of Rivers for their patience during the emergency rule.

He also acknowledged dissenting voices who challenged the decision in court, noting that more than 40 cases had been filed across Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa.

“The power to declare a state of emergency is an inbuilt constitutional tool to address situations of actual or threatened breakdown of public order and public safety,” he said. “It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation.”

With the emergency lifted, Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Odu, and Speaker Amaewhule will resume duties on Thursday.

In closing, Tinubu urged political leaders across the country to learn from Rivers’ crisis.

“It is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. I implore all of you to let this realisation drive your actions at all times,” he said.

The lifting of the emergency marks the beginning of a new chapter for Rivers State, one that will test whether its leaders can rise above entrenched divisions to restore stability and governance.