“Rivers Assembly Set to Resume as Wike Awaits End of Emergency Rule September 18”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday expressed optimism that the state of emergency in Rivers State will end on September 18.

Speaking after casting his vote in the ongoing local government elections in the state, Wike noted that the expiration of the emergency rule would allow the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume its legislative duties.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared a six-month emergency rule in the state, suspending Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and the State Assembly to avert a political crisis.

Wike, however, described the local government polls as peaceful and successful, with massive voter turnout. He added that with the expected expiration of the emergency rule, governance at both the state and grassroots levels would be fully restored.

“The coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted. The state and local governments now have their representatives, so we are good to go,” he stated.