Rivers State Set For Political Restoration As Fubara And Assembly Members To Return On September 18th.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, along with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, will resume their roles on 18 September 2025, marking the end of a six-month state of emergency in the state. The declaration follows the successful conduct of local government elections, which Wike described as a pivotal step towards restoring democratic governance at the grassroots level.
Speaking after casting his vote at Polling Unit 007, Ward 9, in the Rumuepirikom community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Wike expressed confidence in the electoral process, praising its peaceful execution compared to previous polls in Rivers State. He noted that the elections were conducted in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling against caretaker committees, ensuring that elected council chairmen and councillors can access funds directly from the federation account. “The process was clear and lawful, paving the way for the expiration of the state of emergency,” Wike stated.
The political crisis in Rivers State, which began in 2023, stemmed from a fallout between Wike and Fubara, his political protégé. The rift led to a polarised state assembly, with factions loyal to each leader vying for control. In December 2023, 27 lawmakers aligned with Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting Fubara to declare their seats vacant. This sparked legal battles, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling on 28 February 2025, which upheld Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker and ordered Fubara to present the 2025 budget to the Amaewhule-led assembly.
The state of emergency, declared by President Bola Tinubu on 18 March 2025, saw Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and all state legislators suspended, with Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) appointed as sole administrator. The move aimed to restore order amid rising tensions, including an explosion at the assembly complex and its partial demolition by Fubara’s administration. However, governance stalled, with development projects like the Trans-Kalabari Link Road and the Port Harcourt Ring Road slowed or halted under the emergency rule.
Recent reconciliation efforts, including peace talks brokered by President Tinubu in June 2025, have paved the way for this resolution. Fubara confirmed his commitment to the peace process, emphasising the need for unity to drive progress in Rivers State. The local government elections, held on Saturday, are seen as a critical step towards reinstating democratic institutions.
While some residents hailed the development as a positive move, others expressed cautious optimism, citing the fragility of previous truces. Political analyst Obinna Ebogidi described the reconciliation as “long overdue” but urged the state assembly to reciprocate Fubara’s cooperative spirit to ensure lasting stability. “The people of Rivers State have endured enough disruption. It’s time for governance to resume in full,” he said.
As 18 September approaches, all eyes are on Rivers State to see if this latest development will bring enduring peace and progress to the oil-rich region.
