The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced that the state of emergency declared in Rivers State is expected to end on 18 September. He made the statement on Saturday after voting in the state’s local government elections.
Wike expressed optimism that the expiration of the emergency rule would allow the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume its legislative duties. “I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire and the state assembly will come back to their job and we will have a government at the grassroots level,” he said.
The minister noted that the peaceful conduct of the local elections was a positive sign and reinforced his confidence that normal governance could soon be restored. He stated, “As far as we are concerned, this election is peaceful, people are trooping out and at the end of the day the election has been conducted successfully and peacefully.”
Wike also emphasised that the conditions for ending the emergency were now in place, parwith both state and local governments having elected representatives. “The coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, being that the state government has its representative and the local government has its representatives, so we are good to go,” he added.
The state of emergency was imposed by President Bola Tinubu six months ago to prevent a worsening political crisis. It led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s House of Assembly. The measure was intended to stabilise the state and allow for a period of administration without the ongoing political disputes.
With the scheduled end of the emergency rule now confirmed by a key figure such as Wike—who remains influential in Rivers politics—attention is turning to how the state’s institutions will resume their functions. The return of the Assembly is particularly significant, as it will be able to restart lawmaking and oversight activities.
Wike’s comments provide the clearest indication so far that the emergency period is coming to a close and that Rivers State is preparing to restore full democratic governance.
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