Rivers State emergency nears end as president Tinubu comes back ahead of schedule

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cut short his vacation abroad to return to Abuja on Tuesday evening, ahead of the scheduled end of the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State. The president’s early arrival is seen as preparation for crucial decisions on the state’s political situation and upcoming international commitments.

After spending time in France and the United Kingdom since September 4 on a working leave, President Tinubu’s jet touched down at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport by 6:50 pm local time. His return comes just days before the emergency governance, imposed on March 18 due to escalating unrest in Rivers State, is set to lapse on Thursday.

The temporary governance arrangement was put in place following a severe political standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The crisis escalated after militants attacked oil facilities, prompting the president to appoint a former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the sole administrator to restore order.

Political circles remain divided over the transfer of power back to Governor Fubara. One viewpoint holds that since the governor was suspended, not impeached, he can resume duties without retaking an oath, possibly with a handover conducted between the sole administrator and senior state officials. Conversely, others argue that formal communications and nationwide announcements are necessary to legitimize the transition properly, citing precedents from previous administrations.

Sources from the presidency also suggest that Tinubu’s early return is connected to preparations for Nigeria’s participation in the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which opened this week and will feature its major debates starting September 23. Protocol requires the president to depart for New York shortly before the debates begin.

With the deadline for this administrative setup closing in, the president faces key choices, whether to extend the emergency status or to reinstate standard governance. The constitution grants him authority to end the extraordinary measure by issuing a formal proclamation and signing an official decree from within Nigeria.