CITIZENS COMPASS—The Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, fixed September 18, 2025, to end the state of emergency in Rivers State.
Wike is former governor of Rivers State.
He disclosed this after casting his vote at his polling booth in the ongoing local government elections across the state.
According to him, the emergency measures were meant to stabilise the state after the political war between him and the sitting Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who was declared illegal by the Supreme Court.
“The Supreme Court has already said that the last local government election was illegal. What we are doing now is a proper democratic exercise, and that is why you can see the enthusiasm, particularly in the rural areas,” Wike said.
On voter turnout, he said participation was massive in rural communities but less visible in commercial centres. He attributed the low numbers in urban areas to economic activities, saying many traders preferred to remain in their shops rather than leave to vote.
He said the local government election was a step in the right direction.
