President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the cessation of the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight September 17, 2025, after declaring it six months ago due to a governance paralysis. In a statement, Tinubu said the move follows a new spirit of understanding and readiness for democratic governance among stakeholders in Rivers State.

“I am happy today that, from the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance,” Tinubu said.

The state of emergency was declared on March 18, 2025, due to a constitutional impasse between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly, with the Supreme Court noting there was “no government” in Rivers State. Tinubu cited Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as the basis for the proclamation, suspending the Governor, Deputy Governor, and Assembly members for six months.

Tinubu thanked the National Assembly for approving the declaration and traditional rulers and people of Rivers State for their support. “I do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced,” he stated.

Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, Assembly members, and Speaker Martins Amaewhule are expected to resume duties from September 18, 2025. Tinubu urged all states’ governors and assemblies to prioritize peace, order, and good governance for delivering democracy’s dividends. “It is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to our people,” he said.