The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that with the conduct of the Rivers local government election on Saturday, the coast has been cleared for Siminalayi Fubara’s return as Rivers Governor.
Wike, a two-term Governor of Rivers State said the conduct of the Rivers LG poll has paved the way for lifting the state of emergency in Rivers State, set to expire on September 18, 2025.
Speaking after casting his vote in Rumuepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Wike praised the peaceful nature of the elections.
According to him, the peaceful conduct of the election has made it possible for Fubara’s return as the Rivers State Governor after years of political turmoil.
He said: “So, having done this, then the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted.
“Meaning that the local government has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go.
“I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire. And that would mean that the state governor and state assembly will come back to their job, and we will have a government at the grassroots level.
“Rivers people are glad to have their own people on the ballot. I have received feedback from across the state showing that many came out to vote, and that makes me very happy.
“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the elections.
“You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of (people) carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes.
“As far as we are concerned, the elections are very peaceful.
“With this election, local governments can now receive their allocations directly. That is why we must commend President Bola Tinubu for insisting that elections be conducted.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that this comes after President Bola Tinubu in March 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing rising tensions from the political war between Wike and Fubara.
Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Oduh, and members of the Rivers State Assembly for six months, and named Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) a sole administrator.
Recall also that six months ago, the Supreme Court nullified a previous one conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.
