Governor Fubara (left), President Tinubu (middle) and FCT Minister Wike at their meeting on Thursday | Image: Channelstv
.Govt holds council election in Rivers
Wike: 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
By Valentine Amanze
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the emergency rule imposed in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu would end on September 18, 2025.
Wike also said that the conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Elections on Saturday August 30, 2025 was a step to the end of emergency rule in the coastal state.
Wike spoke on Saturday in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of the state after voting in the Rivers council elections.
His words: “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.”
The former governor of the state who spoke to the media after exercising his franchise, equally hailed the conduct of the elections and described it as peaceful.
“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the elections,” Wike said, dismissing concerns about voter apathy.
“You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of [people] carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there.
Also read: Rivers crisis, a threat to Nigeria’s democracy – Jonathan
“People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the elections are very peaceful.
“Of course, we are concerned [about low turnout], but people are trooping out. Before the elections close, you will see the number of persons [increase].
“So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, these elections have been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”
The elections came six months after the Supreme Court nullified a previous one conducted out by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
In March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the South-South state, citing rising tensions over a months-long political impasse between Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, which had defied peace moves.
However, analysts say the local government election was a plot to handover the state to President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC), with Wike as godfather.
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