The people of Rivers State have begun the countdown to the end of emergency rule imposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025, with a special thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt yesterday to mark the anticipated return of democratic governance, in a few days barring any unforeseen circumstances.
The thanksgiving, held at Ecumenical Centre, attracted dignitaries including former Chief of Naval Staff, and Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), traditional rulers, community leaders, and the newly elected chairmen of the 23 local government councils.
Emergency rule was declared after political tensions between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, boiled over, spilling into a wider crisis with the Rivers State House of Assembly. The feud deepened into a stalemate that paralysed governance.
Repeated confrontations between the executive and legislature, coupled with factionalised sittings of the Assembly, left Rivers without a functional political framework. With the crisis showing no signs of resolution, President Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to suspend democratic structures and place the state under emergency rule.
In his proclamation, the President said the intervention was necessary “to prevent the crisis from escalating further and to safeguard constitutional order” in one of Nigeria’s most strategic states.
Since March 18, a sole administrator, backed by security agencies, has managed the state. While calm prevailed, political activities were frozen, and Rivers’ elected leadership was suspended pending restoration of order.
The turning point came on August 30, 2025, when the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) successfully conducted local government elections across the state. The polls, widely praised as peaceful, orderly, and free, produced new chairmen and councillors, setting the stage for the return of democratic governance.
Yesterday’s thanksgiving, therefore, carried both political and symbolic weight. Admiral Ibas (rtd), speaking at the event, praised Rivers’ people for their patience. “We are nearing the end of a difficult chapter. Rivers must now rise above personal quarrels and place the people first,” he said.
“The quarrels of yesterday must be set aside. The prosperity and progress of our state must be paramount,” Ibas said
Ordinary residents also voiced relief that the six-month suspension of democracy was drawing to a close. “We want our leaders to work together, not fight each other. With the new council chairmen in place, we can see hope again,” said Mrs. Beatrice Amadi, a trader in Port Harcourt.
As the emergency rule expectedly formally ends on September 18, 2025, the suspended governor, his deputy, the state House of Assembly are expected to resume their constitutional duties.
