Tinubu Reinstates Gov Fubara, State Assembly Members with Effect from Midnight

President Bola Tinubu has lifted the state of emergency in Rivers State, saying peace and stability have returned after months of political deadlock. The six-month emergency rule, declared in March, suspended the offices of the governor, deputy governor and state assembly following what the president called a collapse of governance.

At the time, divisions within the Rivers State House of Assembly left the legislature split, with rival factions unable to work with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The impasse stalled budget approvals and brought state administration to a halt, prompting the president to invoke emergency powers under the constitution.

Mr Tinubu said new intelligence showed that stakeholders were now ready to restore democratic governance. He confirmed that Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, Speaker Martins Amaewhule and lawmakers would return to office from 18 September.

Announcing that the emergency would end at midnight on 17 September, the president urged political leaders across Nigeria to uphold peace and order, stressing that democratic dividends can only be achieved through stability and cooperation.