The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced that the six-month emergency rule declared in Rivers State is nearing its end, with plans already underway to restore democratic governance at the local level. Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, Wike disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had signed a fresh directive mandating that local government elections be conducted in Rivers State within the next 30 days.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, stated that President Tinubu is not in support of extending the interim governance arrangement beyond its original timeframe.
“The President, from my understanding, does not want the emergency rule extended because doing so will not be palatable to the people,” he said. He revealed that a new regulation signed in July overrides the earlier 360-day window for elections and instead imposes a strict 30-day timeline for the polls to be conducted.
The current State Administrator, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, appointed to manage the state during the emergency period, will be responsible for overseeing the electoral process and ensuring a return to normalcy at the grassroots level.
The emergency rule was declared by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, following weeks of political unrest and a breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
The federal government at the time said the drastic measure was necessary to stabilize the state and prevent a wider crisis.
With the announcement, Rivers State appears to be on track to transition back to constitutional governance as tensions begin to ease.
