Tinubu Restores Democratic Rule in Rivers, Urges Leaders to Prioritize Citizens Over Politics

After six months of political paralysis, Rivers State is set to return to democratic governance as President Bola Tinubu on lifted the state of emergency that had suspended all arms of government since March, today.

In a national address, Tinubu announced that the syspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly will resume official duties on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

The president explained that the extraordinary measure, invoked under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, was necessary to prevent the total collapse of governance after a fierce standoff between the governor and the majority of lawmakers loyal to the speaker, Martins Amaewhule.

The statement read, “The serious constitutional impasse brought governance in the state to a standstill. It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation”.

During the suspension, he noted, critical state assets such as oil pipelines were exposed to threats, while service delivery to citizens was stalled. Several court cases challenging the proclamation, he added, did not change the urgent need to safeguard peace.

Now that democratic rule is restored, Tinubu appealed to both arms of government in Rivers to put aside political hostilities and focus on the welfare of citizens.

“The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. That expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence and insecurity borne by misguided political activism,” he cautioned.

The president thanked lawmakers, traditional rulers, and residents of Rivers for their support during the emergency period and expressed optimism that normalcy will translate into stability and development.

With the order lifted, attention now shifts to whether Rivers leaders can close ranks and deliver on long-delayed promises of governance, peace, and economic growth.