President Bola Tinubu has announced the end of a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, reinstating Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly effective midnight, allowing them to resume duties on September 18, 2025, amid signs of reconciliation among political stakeholders.

In a personally signed statement, Tinubu cited intelligence reports indicating a "new spirit of understanding" and "robust readiness" among Rivers stakeholders for democratic governance, describing it as a positive development for the nation.

The emergency, declared on March 18, 2025, under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, addressed a severe governance crisis that paralyzed the state, including inability to pass budgets and vandalism of oil pipelines, key to Nigeria's economy. Tinubu recalled the impasse between Fubara and the 27-member faction of the assembly loyal to Speaker Martins Amaewhule, while four members aligned with the governor. This division, he said, led to a Supreme Court observation of no effective government in Rivers, necessitating the suspension of executive and legislative offices.

Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas served as sole administrator during the period, overseeing local elections in August where the All Progressives Congress (APC) won 20 of 23 councils and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured three.

The president commended the National Assembly for approving the declaration, traditional rulers, and Rivers residents for their support, while acknowledging over 40 court challenges to the measure, some still pending. He defended the action as a constitutional safeguard against anarchy, not political overreach, emphasizing the need for executive-legislative harmony to deliver democratic benefits.

The crisis stemmed from tensions between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Federal Capital Territory Minister, over control of the oil-rich state's political structure. Early mediation efforts failed, but a June 2025 meeting involving Tinubu, Fubara, Wike, and Amaewhule signaled progress, with the pair later appearing together publicly.

Tinubu urged all governors and assemblies nationwide to prioritize peace, warning that violence and manipulation undermine public expectations. The lifting comes as Ibas reported achieving grassroots democratic restoration through the council polls, though critics like APC chieftain Tonye Cole have questioned Fubara's post-resumption authority.