Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly convened an informal session on Thursday with Speaker Martin Amaewhule presiding.
The Order Paper for the day contained a single item: a motion to set the legislative agenda for the remainder of the 10th Assembly’s calendar year.
Amaewhule entered the chamber at about 11:33 a.m., shortly before Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, were scheduled to return to leadership duties in the state. Their return comes six months after President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers following a deep political crisis.
Crowds of enthusiastic supporters gathered at the Government House in anticipation of the governor’s and deputy governor’s re-emergence. Emergency service officials were also present on the grounds to ensure order and security.
For six months, Fubara and his deputy were excluded from governing the state under Tinubu’s emergency proclamation, which also suspended the governor, his deputy, and the House of Assembly members.
The emergency rule officially ended on Wednesday, clearing the way for the resumption of civilian leadership. Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who had served as the administrator during the interim period, formally relinquished power on Wednesday night. In his farewell broadcast, he urged political stakeholders in Rivers to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect as governance returns to democratic hands.
What you should know
Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Ngozi Odu return to office after six months of emergency rule in Rivers State.
The crisis had led to their suspension alongside the Assembly. With the emergency lifted, political stability will depend on dialogue and cooperation among key actors moving forward.
