Rivers

The Rivers State House of Assembly will on Thursday hold its first plenary session, six months after the state was placed under emergency rule. The sitting, scheduled for 10 a.m., will be presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters, Aba Road, Port Harcourt. Read Also: Kano Protocol DG’s Petition Loses Ground as Lawyers Withdraw This development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement on Wednesday lifting the emergency rule and restoring democratic governance in Rivers State. The president also reinstated Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the suspended members of the Assembly. Lawmakers are expected to use Thursday’s session to chart the legislative direction of the Assembly as governance resumes. The plenary is also anticipated to signal the lawmakers’ stance on reconciliation efforts after months of political crisis that necessitated federal intervention.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the end of the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State, six months after its proclamation. The president declared the cessation of the emergency in a national broadcast on Tuesday, stating that democratic governance would resume in the state effective midnight, September 17, 2025. Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to impose emergency rule, citing a total breakdown of governance marked by a protracted standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly. He said the crisis had crippled governance, obstructed budget presentation, and led to vandalism of critical economic assets, including oil pipelines. Read Also: Wike to Flag Off 12 Road Projects, Commission Two, and Launch “Light Up Abuja” Programme The emergency proclamation suspended the offices of the governor, deputy governor, and members of the State Assembly for an initial six months. While acknowledging dissenting voices and over 40 court cases filed against the proclamation, Tinubu maintained that his action was necessary to prevent anarchy and restore order. He noted that the Supreme Court had also affirmed the absence of functional governance in Rivers State at the time. “I am happy today that, from the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance,” the president said. With the expiration of the six-month suspension, Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and Speaker Martins Amaewhule alongside other lawmakers are expected to return to their offices on September 18, 2025. Tinubu thanked the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and the people of Rivers State for supporting the federal government during the period of emergency rule. He urged political leaders across the country to prioritize peace and order to deliver democratic dividends. Nigerian Tracker