Nigeria’s Rivers State, a vital region in the country’s oil-rich south, is set to emerge from six months of emergency rule after President Bola Tinubu announced the lifting of the state of emergency and the return of suspended political leaders to office. The move, revealed late Wednesday in a statement from the Presidency and echoed across social media, marks the end of a turbulent chapter for a state long seen as a bellwether for both Nigeria’s political stability and its economic fortunes.
The state of emergency, which was imposed on March 18, 2025, came at a time when Rivers State was gripped by what President Tinubu described as a “total paralysis of governance.” The source of the paralysis was a bitter conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and 27 lawmakers loyal to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule. The standoff, which had simmered for months, escalated to such a degree that the country’s Supreme Court ultimately affirmed in a ruling that “there was no government in Rivers State.”
President Tinubu, who had just returned to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, after a 10-day leave in the United Kingdom and France, wasted no time in addressing the situation. In his statement, he declared, “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.”
The president’s decision to impose emergency rule in March was not made lightly. According to the Associated Press, the emergency rule was implemented in response to a protracted political crisis and a surge in oil pipeline vandalism—a double blow for a state that sits at the heart of Nigeria’s oil industry. The paralysis of governance threatened not only the political stability of Rivers State but also the economic well-being of the entire nation, given the state’s central role in oil production and export.
In the wake of the emergency declaration, the National Assembly acted swiftly to approve the president’s proclamation. President Tinubu specifically commended lawmakers for their prompt response, stating that the National Assembly had “taken steps immediately, as required by the Constitution, to approve the declaration in the interest of peace and order in Rivers State, after critically evaluating the justification for the proclamation.”
Throughout the six-month emergency period, traditional rulers and the people of Rivers State played a crucial role in supporting the federal government’s efforts to restore order. Tinubu expressed his gratitude to these stakeholders, thanking “the traditional rulers and the people of Rivers for their support from the date of the declaration of the state of emergency until it ended.”
The lifting of emergency rule means that Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and the entire State House of Assembly—including Speaker Martins Amaewhule—will be reinstated to their offices as of Thursday, September 18, 2025. The decision comes at a critical juncture, as Rivers State seeks to move beyond months of political infighting and focus on rebuilding its institutions and economy.
The roots of the crisis in Rivers State run deep. The conflict between Governor Fubara and the 27 lawmakers loyal to Speaker Amaewhule reflected broader tensions within Nigeria’s political system, where rival factions often vie for control over lucrative state resources. The paralysis that resulted from this standoff was so severe that, as the Supreme Court noted, effective governance in the state had ground to a halt.
Oil pipeline vandalism further complicated the situation. As reported by the Associated Press, the surge in attacks on critical infrastructure not only disrupted the flow of oil but also exacerbated tensions between local communities, state officials, and federal authorities. The economic impact was felt nationwide, as oil revenues remain a cornerstone of Nigeria’s budget and foreign exchange earnings.
In the aftermath of the emergency declaration, Rivers State became a focal point for debates over the balance of power between Nigeria’s federal and state governments. Some political observers argued that the imposition of emergency rule was a necessary step to restore order and prevent further economic damage. Others, however, expressed concern that such measures set a troubling precedent for federal intervention in state affairs.
President Tinubu’s handling of the crisis has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters point to the president’s willingness to act decisively in the face of chaos, as well as his efforts to consult with the National Assembly and local stakeholders before taking action. Critics, on the other hand, caution that the use of emergency powers should remain an option of last resort, warning that overreach could undermine Nigeria’s federal structure in the long run.
The return of Governor Fubara and other suspended officials is expected to signal a new phase for Rivers State. The challenges ahead are significant: rebuilding public trust, reestablishing effective governance, and addressing the root causes of political division and economic sabotage. The president’s statement underscores the importance of unity and cooperation among state leaders, lawmakers, and traditional authorities as they seek to chart a new course for the state.
For many in Rivers State, the end of emergency rule brings a sense of relief, but also a recognition of the work that lies ahead. The past six months have tested the resilience of the state’s institutions and people, revealing both vulnerabilities and strengths. As the region looks to the future, the lessons learned from this crisis will likely shape its approach to governance, security, and development for years to come.
Nationally, the episode serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between stability and democracy in Africa’s most populous country. The federal government’s intervention in Rivers State was driven by an urgent need to restore order, yet it also highlighted the ongoing challenges of managing political disputes and safeguarding critical economic assets in a complex, diverse federation.
As Rivers State’s leaders return to their posts and the machinery of government grinds back into motion, all eyes will be on their ability to deliver results—not just for their constituents, but for a nation that depends on their success. The stakes, as ever in Nigeria, are high.