The Rivers State House of Assembly has resumed plenary session following the expiration of the six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu lifted the emergency rule on September 17, directing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly to return to office on September 18.
Thursday’s plenary was presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule at the conference hall within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, which has served as a temporary chamber since the official assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later demolished by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), was unable to complete the reconstruction of the complex before the expiration of his tenure.
BusinessDay reports that Tinubu had declared the state of emergency on March 18 following a prolonged political standoff between Governor Fubara and lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He suspended the governor, his deputy, and the lawmakers for six months while appointing Ibas to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision drew mixed reactions, with critics accusing the president of breaching the constitution, while others described it as a necessary step to restore stability.
On June 3, Fubara met Tinubu at his Lagos residence in one of several closed-door meetings aimed at resolving the crisis. He also held reconciliation talks with Wike, attending public functions with him afterward.
Announcing the end of emergency rule on Wednesday, Tinubu said: “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025.”
