The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has expressed optimism that the state of emergency in Rivers State will will be lifted before September 18.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18 following the protracted political crisis involving Governor Siminalayi
Fubara, members of the State House of Assembly, and Wike.

As part of the declaration, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the House of Assembly for six months, while appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator.

However speaking to newsmen after casting his ballot in the local government elections, Saturday, Wike said that conditions are now favorable for the emergency rule to be lifted.

According to him, once the state of emergency ends, the Rivers State Assembly will resume its legislative duties.

He said: “As far as we are concerned, this election has been peaceful. People are coming out en masse and the process is moving smoothly.

“I am confident that by September 18, the state of emergency will lapse, the assembly will return to their responsibilities, and grassroots governance will be fully restored.

“The coast is now clear for the emergency to be lifted since both the state and local governments already have their representatives in place. We are good to go.”