After Six-month Suspension, Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting Thursday

After a six-month state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Thursday, the state House of Assembly has resumed plenary session.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
President tinubusubsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
Tinubu’s decision ignited widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
On June 3, Fubara paid a visit to the President at his residence in Lagos State.
That made it the second time Fubara and Tinubu would be meeting behind closed doors, after his suspension.
Fubara also met with Wike to settle their rift and attended several functions together.
Following the meeting, Wike confirmed that the political rift between him and Fubara has been resolved.
On Wednesday, Tinubu ended the emergency rule in the state and asked Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers to resume work on Thursday, September 18.