September 18, 2025, as the day Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to return to office. The handover will end the administration of Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, who has served as sole administrator since March.
This expectation has been reinforced by comments from the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, during the recently held local government elections in the state. Wike had stated that once the emergency rule ends, Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly would be restored to their constitutional duties.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Wike also stressed that holding the local government elections was critical, as failure to do so before the expiration of the emergency period would have left governance at the grassroots level in jeopardy.
Further signs point to a smooth transition, with President Bola Tinubu cutting short his vacation abroad and returning to Abuja on Tuesday, September 16, to resume official duties. His early return is being linked to preparations for the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers.
On Saturday, September 13, the Rivers State Government confirmed that transition activities had been set in motion. Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, announced that an interdenominational thanksgiving service would be held on Sunday to mark the state’s return to civilian rule, with all key stakeholders invited.
The emergency rule was imposed on March 18, 2025, by President Tinubu following worsening insecurity, pipeline vandalism, and political instability. The decision, which suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly, was endorsed by the National Assembly and presented as necessary to restore order.
During the six-month emergency administration, Ibas oversaw local government elections across the 23 LGAs, launched a verification exercise for civil servants and pensioners, and supervised rehabilitation of key infrastructure, among other stabilisation measures.
The following are expected to take place on Thursday:
- Official expiration of the state of emergency.
- Resumption of duties by Governor Fubara and the state House of Assembly.
- Formal handover from Ibas to Fubara, possibly with a public ceremony.
If confirmed, the transition will mark the end of six months of direct federal administration and the restoration of full democratic governance in Rivers State.
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