Six months after the declaration of state of emergency, Rivers State returned to democratic administration.
This follows yesterday’s termination of the emergency rule imposed on March 18 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a result of a protracted political disagreement.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the House of Assembly, presided over by Martin Amaewhule, will begin to function from today in their elected capacities.
President Tinubu urged the gladiators to keep the peace and work together.
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike hailed the President’s decision in averting chaos in the oil-rich state.
President Tinubu said he was inspired to lift the political sanction because of “a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance.”
Reflecting on the period, President Tinubu noted that the positive signals made it unnecessary to extend the emergency rule beyond six months.
He said: “It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency rule in Rivers State shall end with effect from midnight today (yesterday).
The President reminded governors and state legislatures that only in an atmosphere of peace, order and good governance could Nigerians truly enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He warned against political brinkmanship and called for cooperation between the executive and legislative arms.
