President Bola Tinubu has lifted the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, September 18, 2025, signaling a return to democratic governance. The announcement, made through a personally signed statement, reflects Tinubu’s confidence in the state’s progress under the six-month emergency rule that began on March 18, 2025.
Tinubu expressed optimism about the state’s readiness to resume normalcy, stating, “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. 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 confirmed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, will resume their duties starting September 18, 2025.
“It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today,” Tinubu affirmed.
He also urged leaders across Nigeria to prioritize peace and effective governance, noting, “I take this opportunity to remind the Governors and the Houses of Assembly of all the States of our country to continue to appreciate that 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.”
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