Tinubu to Lift Rivers State Emergency Rule Once Order Is Restored – Minister

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has assured that President Bola Tinubu will lift the state of emergency in Rivers State once normalcy is restored.

Speaking in an interview with The Nation, Idris emphasized Tinubu’s commitment to reinstating democratic governance in the oil-rich state.

“As soon as he assesses that sanity has returned to Rivers State, he will ensure the restoration of all democratic structures,” he stated.

He dismissed speculations of hidden motives, stressing that the decision was purely to restore order.

“The president has no intention whatsoever to take over the governance of Rivers State or appoint a governor,” Idris clarified.

He described the emergency declaration as a “responsible but painful” decision necessitated by the breakdown of governance in the state.

“The three arms of government must function together. We couldn’t have just the executive operating and still call it a democracy. That’s why the president had to act,” he explained.

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