Rivers state of emergency rule is set to expire on September 18, with Wike hopeful for a peaceful resumption of local governance and assembly duties

Rivers State of emergency rule is expected to expire on September 18, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike expressed on Saturday after casting his vote in the ongoing local government election.

Also read: Rivers women march in support of state of emergency

Wike expressed optimism that with the expiration, the Rivers State Assembly will resume its legislative duties, restoring governance at the grassroots level.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared the emergency rule to prevent a political crisis in Rivers State, suspending Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly for six months.

Commenting on the local elections, Wike said: “As far as we are concerned, this election is peaceful, people are trooping out and at the end of the day the election has been conducted successfully and peacefully.”

He further added: “I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire and the state assembly will come back to their job and we will have a government at the grassroots level.”

Wike emphasized that the situation is stable, stating, “The coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, being that the state government has its representative and the local government has its representatives, so we are good to go.”

Also read: Governor Fubara addresses Rivers State amid emergency declaration

With the end of the emergency rule in sight, residents and political leaders alike anticipate a smooth transition back to regular governance and local administration.