Rivers Governor to Send New Commissioner Nominees to House of Assembly

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is set to forward a new list of commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly, following a restructuring of his executive council. Sources say the governor is also expected to appoint a new Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff in the coming days.

Fubara made the announcement during a valedictory session at the Government House in Port Harcourt, which coincided with the 65th Independence anniversary celebration. In a statement signed by his spokesman, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor confirmed that all commissioners and public office holders affected by a recent Supreme Court ruling had been relieved of their duties.

The Supreme Court judgment, delivered on February 28, declared the factional House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo as illegal and annulled the appointments made by it, including the confirmations of commissioners. The court recognized the 27-member House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule as the legitimate legislative body. As a result, the appointments of several commissioners, including Iboroma Dagogo, the Attorney-General, were declared invalid.

Governor Fubara thanked the outgoing executive council members for their service and reiterated his commitment to continue serving the state with renewed vigor. The governor also called on all Nigerians to work together to support President Bola Tinubu in building a peaceful and prosperous nation. It is anticipated that some of the dismissed commissioners may be re-nominated as part of the new appointments.