Pius Nsabe
After six months of intense political maelstrom in Rivers State, Nigeria, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been reinstated. On September 17, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced that the state of emergency in Rivers would be lifted, restoring Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, the Speaker Martins Amaewhule, and other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, to their offices as of midnight.
This return marks the end of a dramatic period that tested constitutional boundaries, political alliances, and the resilience of democratic institutions in a crucial oil-rich region of Nigeria. What follows is a deep look into how things got here, what the reinstatement means, and what challenges and expectations lie ahead.
The crisis began with a bitter standoff between Fubara and the state legislature. The House of Assembly was deeply divided: one faction of roughly four members aligned with the governor, while the majority opposed him and supported the Speaker. Key issues included budget paralysis, the inability to present or pass an Appropriation Bill, which meant the governor could not access funds to run state affairs. Security concerns also grew as the government claimed critical infrastructure, including oil pipelines, were vulnerable to vandalism amid the impasse. There was legal and constitutional tension as both sides pursued legal avenues; over 40 legal cases were filed challenging the emergency rule and questioning the suspension of elected officials.
Under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the President has the power to declare a state of emergency when it is deemed that public safety, law and order, or governance has broken down to the point that extraordinary action is required. It was this clause that President Tinubu invoked on 18 March 2025. During the emergency, Fubara, his deputy, and the State Assembly were suspended. Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retired) was appointed as Sole Administrator to manage state affairs.
For much of the suspension period, Fubara’s posture was ambiguous. On one hand, he voiced disgust at the political manoeuvring and disruption, expressing that his “spirit had left” Government House. He suggested he was not desperate to return, that political backers should avoid confrontation, and implied he was choosing a less combative path. At the same time, there was clear public pressure, especially from legal and traditional stakeholder groups, for democratic restoration. His kinsmen, local elders, civil society, and party faithful repeatedly called for the emergency to be lifted and constitutional order to be respected. Some were sharply critical of the federal government’s decision to suspend an elected governor.
Several interlocking factors appear to have led to the lifting of the emergency rule. According to the Presidency, there was a new spirit of understanding, robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm among all stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance. The emergency was declared for a period of six months, an initial term that expired on September 17, 2025. The decision to suspend it as soon as it expired was consistent with constitutional expectations that such extraordinary measures should not outlast necessity. The legal challenges, over 40 cases, put enormous pressure on the federal government. There were also criticisms from Rivers stakeholders, citizenry, traditional rulers, and political opponents who saw the suspension as overreach. State governance was paralyzed; there was a risk of growing disillusionment among citizens, potential disruptions in public services, and reputational damage for both the state and the federal government. Lifting the emergency rule was a way to signal a return to democratic norms.
Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the State Assembly are to resume duties from September 18, 2025, following the lifting of the emergency. The expectations are high: re-presentation of the budget and appropriation bills so that governance can resume in earnest, addressing the backlog in governance — arrears, delayed services, and any economic disruptions caused during the emergency, and restoration of trust between the executive and legislature in Rivers State.
The reinstatement is a new beginning but comes with considerable burdens and expectations. Some of the key issues Fubara must address include mending political fissures, as the fractures between the governor and the legislature remain. A sustainable equilibrium needs negotiation, compromise, and consistent constitutional behaviour. Fubara must rebuild working relationships with members of the House who opposed him. If he fails to do so, the same paralysis could return. Reaffirming constitutional norms is another priority. A major question remains: did the emergency suspension of an elected governor set a dangerous precedent? The constitutional and legal battles during these past months will likely influence how similar crises are handled across Nigeria. The judiciary will continue to be a key arbiter. Fubara and his administration will be watched to see if they act within constitutional limits.
Many citizens of Rivers State have been caught in the crossfire: delayed projects, disrupted services, economic uncertainty. Fubara needs to make tangible progress quickly — in roads, infrastructure, schools, healthcare, public security — to restore faith. Managing expectations and avoiding retaliation will also be important. In politically charged situations, returning leaders often face pressure to punish or marginalize opponents. Fubara will need to resist such temptations, or risk undermining reconciliation. Also, his earlier statements about “spirit leaving” the Government House indicate fatigue and possibly deeper emotional and political scars — healing will take time. Given the controversies, there will be heightened scrutiny: over financial decisions during the emergency, actions of the Administrator, the state’s security apparatus, and who influences decision-making. Fubara’s transparency and openness will matter a lot.
While this is first and foremost a Rivers State issue, the political, constitutional, and symbolic dimensions resonate more broadly in Nigeria. The way the president used emergency powers speaks to what many see as an expansion of executive reach over states. How this is judged legally and politically could shape future federal-state dynamics. The event is also a test case for how Nigeria handles political impasse: whether through negotiation, judicial ruling, or executive imposition. The lifting of the emergency could become a reference point for what constitutional democracy can and cannot tolerate. Rivers State is central to Nigeria’s oil production. Any prolonged disruption there has implications not just for local communities, but national revenue, security, and international perception. Restoring governance has both local and national economic import.
To ensure that Fubara’s return is not just symbolic but lasting, several things should be prioritized. Inclusive dialogue and reconciliation platforms must be established, bringing together all political stakeholders, including opponents, civil society, traditional rulers, and business leaders, to chart a path forward. There is a need for possible constitutional reforms or clarifications, to revisit legal grey areas around emergency powers and the suspension of elected officials. Clearer laws or judicial precedent might prevent ambiguity in future crises. Immediate governance interventions are also crucial: restoring public services, resolving financial backlogs, ensuring the budget is passed and funds disbursed, and attending to the needs of the most impacted communities. Security and rule of law must be strengthened to ensure that law enforcement and safety of citizens are safeguarded, and that claims of vandalism or insecurity arising during the emergency are fully addressed without resorting to overreach. Finally, public accountability is essential. The government should publish what was done, or not, during the emergency: what funds were spent, what projects stalled or completed, and what decisions were made by the sole administrator. Openness will help heal trust.
The return of Siminalayi Fubara marks the end of one of the most unusual stretches of governance in recent Rivers State history. It is not merely a personal comeback, but a test case for Nigeria’s democracy: how far constitutional order can be strained, how responsive federal power is to local political crises, and how resilient democratic institutions are when pushed. For Fubara, the reinstatement offers an opportunity—not only to resume his mandate but to reset the record: to show through his actions that leadership can transcend political conflict, serve all citizens, and uphold constitutional norms.
For the people of Rivers State, the return brings hope: for restored governance, resumed services, and the possibility of peace after months of uncertainty. But hope will only be earned, not claimed. The next few months will be telling. Whether Fubara’s government can deliver on promises, reconcile political opponents, and steer Rivers State back toward stability and progress will shape not just his legacy, but perceptions of democratic resilience in Nigeria.