Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially resumed duties as Governor of Rivers State following the lifting of the six-month state of emergency imposed by President Bola Tinubu.

Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly returned to office on Thursday after months of suspension from their constitutional roles. The state of emergency, declared in March, was triggered by a deep political crisis that paralyzed governance in the state.

During the emergency, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) served as Sole Administrator, overseeing security operations, local government elections, and limited governance activities. His tenure also saw the reorganization of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission and the conduct of council polls across the 23 local government areas.

President Tinubu said the decision to end the emergency was informed by “a new spirit of understanding, readiness, and enthusiasm among stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance.”