Nigeria Rivers Emergency Rule Will Be Lifted Once Order is Restored, Minister Idris Assures

The Nigerian government assures that the emergency rule in Rivers State will end once stability is restored. Minister Mohammed Idris confirms that President Tinubu is committed to returning democratic governance, dismissing any hidden motives. The rule led to the suspension of local officials, with a sole administrator appointed.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured that the state of emergency imposed in Rivers State will be lifted as soon as normalcy is restored, according to Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. In an interview with The Nation newspaper, Idris emphasized that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to returning democratic governance to the state as soon as security and order are reinstated.

The emergency rule, which was declared last week, led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state assembly. Retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the sole administrator of the state to restore stability and order.

Idris reassured the public that the president has no intention of overtaking the governance of Rivers State, affirming that the declaration was purely aimed at resolving the breakdown in governance and ensuring that the democratic process is upheld. He rejected speculation about hidden motives behind the decision, emphasizing that it was made out of necessity and in line with constitutional provisions.

“The president will not wait a minute longer than necessary to restore stability,” Idris stated. He further explained that a functional democracy requires all three arms of government to work together, and the president’s intervention was needed to correct the imbalance in the state’s governance structure.

While acknowledging the difficulty of the decision, Idris emphasized that it was made with the best interests of Rivers State and its citizens at heart. The government remains hopeful that the situation will improve, allowing for the reinstatement of the state’s democratic structures.