By Kingston Magare 17.9.2025
President Bola Tinubu Wednesday said Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Ordu and members of the House of Assembly members can now return to their positions on Thursday after lifting the six months suspension on the elected officials.
Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Rivers State following political skirmishes between governor Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike in March 2025. His declaration was rubber stamped by the National Assembly despite the move drawing wide condemnations from opposition parties and Nigerians.
But speaking in a statement Tinubu argued that the state of emergency in Rivers State was justified.
“It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation,” Tinubu said.
“The serious constitutional impasse brought governance in the state to a standstill. Even the Supreme Court, in one of its judgments in a series of cases filed by the Executive and the Legislative arms of Rivers State against each other, held that there was no government in Rivers State,” the president said.
He said there was a renewed spirit of understanding among the River State political stakeholders. He noted that politicians nationwide should tread on the path of peace and harmony to create a thriving atmosphere for democracy.
Tinubu said opposition to the emergency rule was robust and it reflected the vibrancy of Nigeria’s democracy but insisted that the measure was necessary to safeguard order.
Fubara...Wike storm is over