President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that, effective midnight today, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara will resume office as Governor of Rivers State.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued in Abuja.
Tinubu explained that the offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the State House of Assembly had been suspended for six months, which elapsed today, September 17, 2025.
He recalled that on March 18, 2025, he proclaimed a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President said the total breakdown of governance in the state, which left the Governor and the House of Assembly unable to cooperate, necessitated the emergency rule. He added that critical economic assets, including oil pipelines, were being vandalized during the period.
He justified the proclamation by pointing out that the House of Assembly was deeply divided, with four members supporting the Governor while 27 opposed him.
Tinubu stressed that the constitutional deadlock had paralyzed governance in Rivers State.
He noted that his mediation efforts, along with those of other prominent Nigerians, failed as both factions refused to compromise, harming peace and development.
The President maintained that it became unavoidable to avert anarchy by invoking the powers vested in him under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to declare a state of emergency.
Tinubu thanked the National Assembly for swiftly evaluating and approving the proclamation in line with constitutional requirements, emphasizing that it was necessary to preserve peace and order in Rivers State.
He also expressed gratitude to traditional rulers and the people of Rivers State for their support since the emergency declaration until now.
