Tinubu Orders Fubara’s Return, Declares End of Emergency Rule in Rivers State

Tinubu Orders Fubara’s Return, Declares End of Emergency Rule in Rivers State

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State will officially end at midnight, signaling the return of democratic governance after six months of federal control. The announcement came on Tuesday evening during a presidential address at the State House, Abuja, where the President emphasized that the Federal Government is committed to restoring peace, order, and constitutional rule in the oil-rich state.

The emergency rule, which took effect on March 18, 2025, was declared in response to heightened political violence, rising insecurity, and a breakdown of law and order in Rivers State. The crisis, fueled by deep divisions between rival political factions, escalated into violent clashes that threatened lives, property, and the stability of the Niger Delta region.

In his address, President Tinubu confirmed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was temporarily removed from office when the emergency rule was imposed, will be reinstated immediately. He stressed that the decision to lift the measure followed a series of security assessments, peace dialogues, and consultations with political leaders, traditional rulers, and security agencies.

“The time has come for Rivers people to fully reclaim their democratic rights. I have directed that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, be restored to his constitutional office. The emergency rule will end at midnight today, and governance in Rivers will return to normalcy,” Tinubu said.

The President noted that while federal intervention was necessary to protect lives and prevent anarchy, it was never meant to substitute the will of the people. He thanked the security agencies for their efforts in stabilizing the state and commended stakeholders who participated in peace negotiations that made the lifting of the rule possible.

Sources in Government House, Port Harcourt, confirmed that Governor Fubara has already been briefed on his return and is expected to address the state once he resumes office on Wednesday. His reinstatement is expected to usher in a new phase of political reconciliation, though analysts warn that deep-rooted tensions between warring factions may still linger.

The end of the emergency rule has been welcomed by civil society groups and community leaders, who had long argued that federal takeover of the state undermined democratic principles. However, security operatives are maintaining high alert in parts of Rivers State to ensure a peaceful transition back to civilian administration.

As the clock ticks towards midnight, all eyes remain on Rivers State to see how Governor Fubara will navigate his return and whether the fragile peace achieved in recent months can be sustained in one of Nigeria’s most politically volatile state