The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed optimism that the political state of emergency in Rivers State will officially end on September 18, allowing the State House of Assembly to resume its legislative duties.
Wike made the statement on Saturday, August 30, shortly after casting his vote in the local government elections held across the state. According to him, the peaceful conduct of the election and the return of democratic activities at the grassroots level are signs that normalcy is returning to Rivers.
“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 said. “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.”
The state of emergency was declared earlier this year by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following a tense political crisis in Rivers State. The crisis involved a deepening rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and key political stakeholders, including Wike, who is his predecessor and a leading figure in the state’s political structure.
To curb the growing tension and prevent a complete breakdown of governance, President Tinubu suspended the state governor, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. During this period, administrative functions in the state were taken over by federal-appointed officials, while elected local and state lawmakers were put on hold.
The suspension of the governor and legislative arms created widespread debate across the country, with legal experts and civil society organisations questioning the constitutionality of such an action. Many viewed it as an extreme measure, while others argued it was necessary to stabilise the state and prevent violence.
The political crisis had affected governance and development efforts in Rivers, which is one of Nigeria’s most economically important states, especially due to its oil wealth. There had been fears of protests and clashes between rival political groups, which prompted the federal government to act swiftly to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Wike’s latest comments suggest that the situation in the state has improved significantly. He noted that with the successful conduct of local government elections, which saw people participating peacefully, there is now confidence that the state is ready to return to normal governance structures.
“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,” Wike added.
The local government elections, which were conducted under tight security, have been described as peaceful by observers and residents in various parts of the state. This has helped calm earlier fears that political tension could erupt into violence at polling stations.
Though the elections were largely peaceful, voter turnout in some areas was reportedly low. Some residents cited uncertainty over the political situation as a reason for their hesitation, while others expressed concerns about the neutrality of the process. However, the smooth running of the exercise has been taken as a positive signal for the return to full democratic governance in the state.
The expected return of the state assembly on September 18 is likely to be a key moment in resolving the ongoing political tension. It is still unclear what specific steps will be taken by the federal government to formally end the emergency rule, but Wike’s confidence suggests that behind-the-scenes negotiations and preparations are already underway.
As the deadline approaches, political watchers will be keeping an eye on how all parties — including Governor Fubara, the Assembly, and the presidency — handle the transition back to normal governance.
Rivers residents, meanwhile, are hopeful that the political crisis, which has disrupted development and public service delivery for months, will finally come to an end. Many are calling for unity among political leaders to allow the state to move forward and focus on issues affecting the people — such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security.
With less than three weeks to go before the September 18 date, all eyes remain on Rivers State and whether it can successfully return to peace, stability, and effective governance.
