President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lifted the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State six months ago. The suspension, which takes effect from September 18, restores Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly to their offices.
Tinubu had declared the emergency in March, citing political deadlock in the Assembly and the government’s failure to address persistent oil pipeline vandalism. A retired naval officer, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, was appointed sole administrator during the period.
The Presidency explained that the decision to end the rule was due to a “new spirit of understanding” among political stakeholders in the state. The move also coincides with the expiration of the initial six-month emergency period under the 1999 Constitution.
The lifting of the emergency marks the restoration of democratic governance in the oil-rich state after months of political and legal battles.