Former Anambra State Governor and opposition leader, Peter Obi, has condemned the six-month emergency rule imposed in Rivers State, describing it as a “needless constitutional breach.”

The emergency, which saw Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly suspended, was lifted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 17, 2025, signaling the full return of democratic governance to the oil-rich state.

Obi’s statement comes amid intense public debate over the necessity and constitutionality of the emergency declaration, which was initially justified by President Tinubu as a measure to restore order after legislative deadlocks and alleged governance paralysis.

The former governor called on political stakeholders in Rivers State to reflect on the episode, stressing that the disruption could have been avoided if constitutional norms were respected from the outset.

He urged leaders, including Governor Fubara and lawmakers, to embrace reconciliation and cooperation to heal political rifts and restore public trust in governance.

Obi also praised Rivers State residents for their patience during the emergency period, encouraging them to remain resilient as normalcy returns.

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The emergency rule, declared on March 18, 2025, was intended to resolve a standoff between Governor Fubara and the State House of Assembly, which had stalled budget approvals and governance processes.

After six months, the federal government restored authority to elected officials, with Tinubu emphasizing that peace, order, and democratic practice must guide governance across all states.