‎...Commends Turnout of Voters

‎The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that the state of emergency in Rivers State will end on September 18, 2025

‎Wike spoke shortly  after casting his vote in the just concluded local government election in the state on Saturday at Rumuepirikom Ward 9 Unit in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State. He noted that once the emergency rule expires, the Rivers State House of Assembly is expected to resume its duties.

‎President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State to prevent political unrest, suspending Governor Siminialayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the State Assembly during the period.

‎Wike said the election was peaceful, with voters turning out in large numbers. “By September 18, the state of emergency will expire, the assembly will return to their duties, and we will have government at the grassroots level,” he stated.

‎He added that the conditions were right for the emergency rule to be lifted, as both the state and local governments now had their representatives in place.

‎“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,” he  said. 

‎“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 added.

‎He equally hailed the conduct of the elections and the turnout of people.

‎“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the elections. 

‎“You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of people carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. 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 LGA elections came six months after the Supreme Court nullified a previous one conducted out by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) under Fubara for breaching the state electoral laws.

‎Recall that in March this year , President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following prolonged polotucal impasse between Wike and Fubara.