The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed optimism that the state of emergency in Rivers State will come to an end on September 18.
Speaking after casting his vote in the ongoing local government election in the state, Wike said the expiration of the emergency rule would allow the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume its constitutional duties.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared a state of emergency in Rivers to avert political unrest, suspending Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly for six months.
Wike, however, noted that the political atmosphere in the state remains calm.
“As far as we are concerned, this election is peaceful, people are trooping out and at the end of the day the election has been conducted successfully and peacefully,” he said.
He added:
“I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire and the state assembly will come back to their job and we will have a government at the grassroots level.”
Wike further stressed that with representation now in place at both state and local government levels, the ground is set for the emergency rule to be lifted.
