The president says governance breakdown justified the proclamation but insists peace must now prevail
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lifted the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State six months ago, reinstating Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The President announced on Wednesday that the emergency rule would formally end at midnight, September 17, 2025, allowing elected officials to return to office the following day.
The President explained that the decision to declare the emergency on March 18, 2025, was born out of necessity to save the state from what he described as “a total paralysis of governance.” According to him, the rift between the executive and the legislature had escalated to the point where the Governor was unable to present an Appropriation Bill, oil pipelines and other economic assets were being vandalized, and governance had ground to a halt.
Tinubu said the crisis was worsened by deep divisions within the State Assembly, where only four members supported the Governor, while 27 stood with the Speaker. This, he added, prompted the Supreme Court to note in a ruling that Rivers practically had no government. Attempts by him and other leaders to broker peace failed as both sides refused to compromise.
Faced with what he termed a drift toward anarchy, Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, suspending the Governor, his deputy, and the lawmakers, and appointing retired Navy chief Ibok Ete Ibas as sole administrator. He said the move was not only constitutional but also unavoidable.
“Would it not have been a colossal failure on my part as President if I had ignored the breakdown of public order in one of our most strategic states? Should I have stood by while governance collapsed completely?” he asked, defending his actions.
The President praised the National Assembly for swiftly approving the emergency declaration and thanked traditional rulers and the people of Rivers State for their patience during the difficult period. He acknowledged, however, that dissent was natural in a democracy, noting that over 40 lawsuits were filed to challenge his decision.
Tinubu said intelligence reports now indicate that political actors in Rivers State are ready for reconciliation and a return to constitutional order. He described this new spirit of understanding as a “remarkable achievement” and insisted that the emergency should not last longer than necessary.
“With effect from midnight today, the emergency in Rivers State shall cease,” Tinubu declared. “The Governor, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly will resume their offices on September 18, 2025.”
He used the occasion to caution other state governments and legislatures across the country to avoid allowing conflicts to degenerate into crises that undermine governance. “Is it not in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good governance that the dividends of democracy can be delivered to our people? Shouldn’t we let this realisation drive our actions at all times?” he asked.
Tinubu concluded his broadcast by urging national unity, reaffirming his faith in Nigeria’s democracy, and declaring: “Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
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