Rivers assembly to screen Fubara’s nine commissioner nominees

The Rivers State House of Assembly has acknowledged receipt of a list of commissioner-nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and invited nine of them for screening and confirmation.

The development comes about three weeks after the governor dismissed eight commissioners who were not affected by the Supreme Court ruling that recognised Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the Assembly. Fubara had also relieved all his special advisers of their duties.

The fresh list, believed to be the first batch, signals the commencement of a cabinet reconstitution, with additional nominees expected in the coming days.

In a special government announcement dated March 3 and signed by the Clerk of the House, Dr Emeka Amadi, the Assembly directed the nominees to submit 40 copies of their curriculum vitae, photocopies of their credentials, and proof of tax compliance.

The nominees are Professor Datonye Alasia, Mr Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Mrs Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, Mr Lekue Kenneth, Otonye Amachree, and Amairigha Edward Hart.

All required documents are to be forwarded to the Office of the Clerk at the Assembly Quarters.

However, the House did not indicate a date for the screening exercise. Attempts to reach the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Complaints, Enemi George, for clarification were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned as of Tuesday evening.

None of the recently sacked commissioners was included in the new list.

Meanwhile, the political rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is believed to have eased following intervention by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu had reportedly stepped in for the third time, halting impeachment proceedings initiated against the governor and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, by 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.

Speaker Amaewhule later announced the withdrawal of the impeachment move, stating that the decision was taken in compliance with the President’s directive.