The emergency rule in Rivers State has officially ended after President Bola Tinubu announced its suspension on Wednesday. With this decision, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned to their offices.

Tinubu declared the six-month emergency rule back in March 2025 due to the political crisis between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. During this period, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.) served as Sole Administrator of the state. The move drew criticism, with some legal experts and stakeholders questioning whether it met constitutional requirements. Some groups even took the matter to the Supreme Court and ECOWAS Court, where decisions are still pending.

Now that peace has returned, attention has shifted to Ibas’s six-month administration. Opposition parties like the PDP, Labour Party, and African Democratic Congress have called for a full probe into how Rivers State resources were managed. Critics insist that Ibas should give account of all funds received from federal allocations and internal revenue, as well as the projects executed during his time in office.

While some believe Fubara may not have the political will to probe Ibas due to behind-the-scenes agreements, the Rivers State House of Assembly has already resolved to investigate the state’s finances under Ibas. The lawmakers also urged Governor Fubara to submit names of commissioner nominees for screening as the state gradually returns to normal governance.