By Deborah Nnamdi
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has forwarded a fresh list of commissioner nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly in what observers describe as a significant step toward restoring stability in the state following months of political tension.
The Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, confirmed receipt of the list in a special government announcement dated March 3 and shared on the Assembly’s official Facebook page, inviting the nominees to appear for screening and confirmation.
According to the statement, nine individuals were nominated in what is believed to be the first batch of commissioner-designates. They include Professor Datonye Alasia, Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mrs. Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, Otonye Amachree, and Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Assembly directed the nominees to submit 40 copies of their curriculum vitae, photocopies of their credentials, and evidence of compliance with tax obligations as part of the screening process. All documents are to be forwarded to the office of the Clerk at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters.
None of the recently sacked commissioners was included in the new list.
The development comes about three weeks after Governor Fubara relieved eight commissioners of their appointments, as well as all Special Advisers. The affected commissioners were not impacted by the Supreme Court judgment recognising Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the House.
The latest nominations also follow the dissolution of the State Executive Council shortly after the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the prolonged political face-off between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The crisis, which began months after Fubara assumed office in 2023, was rooted in a struggle over control of political structures in the oil-rich state. The dispute led to repeated impeachment threats and executive-legislative standoffs, with 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Ngọzi Odu.
Following presidential intervention, the Assembly announced the withdrawal of the impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy in line with commitments reached to ease tensions.
With Rivers State comprising 23 local government areas, more nominees are expected as part of efforts to fully reconstitute the State Executive Council and consolidate the fragile political settlement in the state.
