"Tinubu Requests Ibas to Prepare Transition Documents for Fubara"
Rivers State Legislature to Resume Operations After Six-Month State of Emergency
After a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, the Rivers State House of Assembly is set to resume operations on September 18, 2025. The state of emergency, declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025, led to the suspension of all elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Despite the suspension, the 27 lawmakers who allegedly defected remain valid members of the House of Assembly. Fubara and Odu, along with the suspended officials, are expected to return to their offices on the same date.
The apex court did not rule on the legality of the suspension of Fubara, Odu, or the 32-member House of Assembly. However, the conditions for Fubara's reinstatement were negotiated by legal representatives involved in the case. Fubara has agreed to serve out his current term and vacate office without seeking re-election in 2027. In exchange, the 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, who were suspended from the state assembly, are expected to cooperate with Fubara to enable him to complete his tenure.
Fubara is also expected to pay all outstanding allowances and entitlements of the 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator appointed during the state of emergency, was directed to prepare a comprehensive handover note covering all funds inherited from the suspended government, revenues accrued during the emergency rule, and expenditures on projects.
The apex court did not rule on the conditions imposed on Fubara's reinstatement or the validity of the emergency rule in Rivers State. It also did not rule on the payment of outstanding allowances and entitlements to the pro-Wike and pro-FCT Minister lawmakers.
It is important to note that the collapse of the legislature in Rivers State has been criticised as a form of despotic governance. However, with the resumption of the House of Assembly, there is hope for a return to democratic norms in the state.
The 32-member House of Assembly is expected to resume its proceedings on September 18, 2025. The events leading up to this resumption and the future of governance in Rivers State will be closely watched by all Nigerians.
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