Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the successful conduct of local government elections in Rivers State marks a major step toward ending emergency rule in the state.
Wike made the statement on Saturday after casting his vote at Ward 9, Unit 007 in Rumepirikom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
“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,” Wike told journalists after exercising his franchise.
He further explained that the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu in March would expire on September 18, 2025, paving the way for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislators to return to office.
The FCT minister described the election as peaceful and successful, insisting that concerns about low voter turnout were exaggerated.
“You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are casting their votes peacefully,” Wike said.
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He expressed satisfaction with the turnout, stressing that more voters were arriving at polling stations before the close of voting.
The Rivers council polls came six months after the Supreme Court nullified a previous local government election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
In March 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, following months of political crisis between Wike and his successor, Governor Fubara.
The crisis paralyzed governance and heightened security concerns in the oil-rich state.
On March 19, Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
He then appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) as sole administrator of the state.
Weeks later, Wike, Fubara, and key political stakeholders met with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, where Wike announced that peace had been brokered.
