With one day left before the expiration of emergency rule in Rivers State, expectations are high as Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly prepare to return to office — unless President Bola Tinubu extends the measure.

Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas (retd.), who has served as Sole Administrator for the past six months, has completed handover formalities and urged residents to sustain the peace achieved under his watch. He described the emergency as a necessary response to insecurity and political crisis, though one that left enduring lessons on the value of stability.

While civil society groups and opposition parties have expressed mixed feelings, Rivers elders have called for unity and reconciliation, warning against inflammatory rhetoric. The PDP urged Fubara to remain loyal to the party and probe the six-month interim administration, while also cautioning him against defecting to the APC.

Not all share optimism. Critics, including the CUPP and APGA leaders, described Fubara as weakened by federal intervention, predicting governance challenges under the influence of political godfathers. Some commentators went further, calling the emergency rule unconstitutional and politically motivated, given the absence of large-scale unrest at the time of its declaration.

President Tinubu, who cut short his 10-day vacation abroad, returned to Abuja yesterday amid expectations that he will issue a formal proclamation to end the emergency rule tomorrow.