Tinubu signals return of democracy in Rivers as emergency ends Sept. 18. By Abibu Shehu Ibrahim
Tinubu signals return of democracy in Rivers as emergency ends Sept. 18
The six-month state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu is set to lapse on September 18, 2025, raising strong expectations of a return to democratic governance.
Tinubu had imposed the emergency rule on March 18, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the 32-member House of Assembly, amid a bitter political feud between Fubara and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
He appointed retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, as sole administrator for the interim period.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with Ibas, instructing him to prepare and submit a comprehensive handover note two days before the September 18 deadline, Thefrontrank gathered.
According to sources, the document is expected to detail funds inherited from the suspended governor, revenues accrued within the six months of emergency rule, their sources, as well as expenditures incurred during Ibas’ stewardship.
It was further learnt that Ibas made frantic efforts to secure a three-month extension of his mandate, arguing that he needed until December 2025 to consolidate peace efforts. Under his plan, Governor Fubara would not resume office until January 2026.
Thefrontrank gathered that some Senators allegedly supported the extension bid, citing the need for Ibas to consolidate on the August 30 local government elections and to complete ongoing projects.
These include the verification of workers across the 23 local councils, reconstruction of the state House of Assembly complex, and the importation and installation of equipment for government parastatals.
However, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, moved swiftly against the plan.
According to sources, Wike advised Tinubu that extending the emergency rule would undermine the president’s credibility. His intervention is said to have influenced Tinubu’s directive to Ibas to conclude his assignment.
Tinubu, who departed Nigeria on Thursday for a 10-day working visit to the United Kingdom and France, is expected to return about two days after the emergency rule lapses.
Speculation is rife that he will meet with Governor Fubara, currently in London with his family, to finalise arrangements for his reinstatement on September 18.
Political observers anticipate that Tinubu will formally lift the emergency rule upon his return, restoring civilian authority in Rivers State.
