President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared an end to the six-month state of emergency imposed on Rivers State, urging political leaders to embrace peace and democratic harmony as governance resumes in the oil-rich state.
Speaking in a nationwide address, the President said he was encouraged by what he described as “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.”
He noted that the positive signals made it unnecessary to extend the emergency rule beyond its initial six-month duration.
“It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025”, Tinubu announced.
The President reminded governors and state legislatures across the country that only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good governance could Nigerians truly enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He warned against political brinkmanship and called for cooperation between the executive and legislative arms at all levels of government.
“As a stakeholder in democratic governance, I believe that the need for a harmonious existence and relationship between the executive and the legislature is key to a successful government. The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity borne by misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders”, Tinubu stressed.
Tinubu recalled that his March 18, 2025, proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers was compelled by what he described as “a total paralysis of governance” in the state.
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He cited the prolonged face-off between Governor Fubara and the state House of Assembly, which left the government unable to function, stalled the passage of budgets, and even prompted the Supreme Court to rule that there was effectively “no government” in Rivers at the time.
He explained that invoking Section 305 of the Constitution became inevitable as the political impasse spiralled into vandalism of vital economic assets, including oil pipelines, and heightened threats to peace and security.
The declaration, which suspended the offices of the governor, deputy governor, and members of the state legislature, was approved by the National Assembly.
Tinubu acknowledged there had been dissent and over 40 legal challenges against the declaration, but he insisted the step was both constitutional and necessary.
“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, which require extraordinary measures to return the State to peace, order and security,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and the people of Rivers State for their cooperation during the six months, the President said the outcome vindicated the decision.
“It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation,” he added.
The President closed his speech with an appeal to political leaders nationwide, “I implore all of you to let this realisation drive your actions at all times.”