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Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially declared the cessation of the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective from midnight on September 17, 2025. This move brings an end to a period of crisis in the state, which had been under emergency rule since March 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. 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,” he said.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Presidency, Tinubu emphasised the dire state of governance in Rivers State at the time of the emergency declaration. He detailed the division within the State House of Assembly, with members split into two opposing groups. This internal conflict, combined with the inability of the state’s executive and legislative arms to function cohesively, led to a collapse in governance, affecting critical sectors such as oil production and public order.
The president highlighted that his decision to invoke the emergency powers under Section 305 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution was crucial to prevent the state from descending into chaos. As a result, he was compelled to intervene to restore peace and order, noting that the political impasse in the state could not be resolved without extraordinary measures.
He further praised the National Assembly for its swift approval of the declaration, underscoring its critical role in endorsing the proclamation to ensure peace and stability in the region.
While the state of emergency formally ends, President Tinubu reassured Nigerians that a new spirit of collaboration and understanding among the state’s leadership had emerged. With the lifting of the emergency, the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are now set to resume their official duties, beginning from September 18, 2025.
The president expressed his optimism that this new phase would lead to a more harmonious and productive governance structure, one that would benefit the people of Rivers State and restore the dividends of democracy. He concluded his address with a call to all governors and legislative bodies across the country to prioritise peace, order, and governance, emphasising that only through such efforts could the nation continue to thrive.
