August 30, (THEWILL) — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared that with the conduct of the local government election in Rivers State on Saturday, the ongoing emergency rule in the state will expire on September 18, 2025.
President Bola Tinubu had on March 18, declared a state of emergency on Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. The President also appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.) as administrator to oversee the affairs of the State pending the resolution of the political crisis in the State.
Speaking to journalists shortly after casting his vote at Unit 007, Ward 9, Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state, Wike expressed optimism that by September 18, the emergency rule will be lifted and all suspended elected government officers would be restored back to their positions.
He explained that the emergency measures, implemented earlier this year to stabilise the state, would be lifted following a comprehensive review of the security situation. He described the development as a positive step toward restoring normalcy in Rivers State.
“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”, he said.
Wike highlighted that the elections mark the first legitimate grassroots polls in years, referencing a Supreme Court ruling that declared the previous local government election under Governor Siminalayi Fubara illegal.
“What we are doing now is a proper democratic exercise, and that is why you can see the enthusiasm, particularly in the rural areas”, he added.
Commenting on voter turnout, Wike noted strong participation in rural communities, but lower engagement in commercial centres, attributing this to traders prioritising economic activities over voting. He emphasised that the electoral process reflects the will of the people and demonstrates Rivers State’s commitment to deepening democracy.
“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the election. You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the election is very peaceful”, he concluded.
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