President Bola Tinubu has drawn the curtain on Rivers State’s six-month emergency rule, announcing that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and members of the House of Assembly will resume office on September 18, 2025.
The President, in a statement on Tuesday night, said intelligence reports suggested a renewed willingness among Rivers’ political actors to return to “democratic normalcy.” He framed the move as proof that dialogue, rather than military-style oversight, can restore stability when political crises spiral out of control.
A Crisis Born of Division
The intervention began in March 2025 when Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to impose emergency rule in the oil-rich state. The trigger was a deep split in the House of Assembly: a handful of lawmakers stood with Governor Fubara, while 27 others rallied behind Speaker Amaewhule.
The standoff stalled appropriation bills, left government machinery in limbo, and exposed critical assets—especially oil pipelines—to vandalism. For Tinubu, allowing the paralysis to continue risked crippling one of Nigeria’s most vital economic hubs.
Legal Fights, Public Doubts
From the outset, the proclamation faced resistance. Over 40 cases were filed in various courts, with critics arguing that the emergency declaration was less about law and order and more about federal overreach into state politics. Tinubu, however, defended the decision as constitutional and necessary.
While the National Assembly endorsed the move, many Rivers residents viewed the intervention with suspicion, questioning whether it was truly about safeguarding governance or tightening Abuja’s grip over a restive state.
What Happens Next?
Tinubu’s decision to end the rule is being hailed by the presidency as “a remarkable achievement.” Yet, the real test lies ahead:
- Can Governor Fubara and Speaker Amaewhule find common ground to keep the government functional?
- Will appropriation bills finally move forward without another collapse of cooperation?
- And perhaps most critically, can the state secure its oil pipelines and restore investor confidence?
For now, the President has handed Rivers’ political class a second chance. Whether they seize it—or squander it—will determine if this crisis is truly over or simply on pause.
