Fubara disengages Rivers commissioners affected by s’court judgment

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has relieved commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent supreme court judgement of their appointments.

Fubara spoke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, on Wednesday during a valedictory session with his cabinet members as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary.

The governor said independence remains a significant milestone in the country’s history and urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu in building a peaceful and prosperous nation.

“The Governor also reiterated his commitment to serve the State with renewed vigour, while thanking all citizens for their support, and wished all Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary,” Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara’s spokesperson, quoted the governor as saying in a statement.

“Furthermore, the Governor has relieved all Commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgement of their appointments with immediate effect.”

Fubara thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years.

BACKGROUND

In February this year, the supreme court ordered the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers state house of assembly and other members to resume sitting following a leadership tussle between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), at the time.

The judgement of the apex court recognised the Amaewhule-led faction as the authentic Rivers house of assembly.

By the supreme court ruling, the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Rivers assembly, which was the faction loyal to Fubara, was not recognised.

Before the apex court judgement, Fubara had submitted a list of commissioner nominees and other appointments to the Oko-Jumbo-led faction for screening and approval.

The judgement of the supreme court nullified the decisions taken by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Rivers assembly.

The Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers assembly was loyal to the FCT minister.

The leadership crisis led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu on March 17.

On September 17, Tinubu ended the emergency rule in and asked Fubara to resume work the following day.

The president also directed Ngozi Odu, the deputy governor, and members of the Rivers state house of assembly to resume their legislative duties.

Afterwards, Wike confirmed that he had spoken with Fubara before the governor returned to the government house in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers governor later said he had reconciled with the FCT minister.

Fubara also called on Rivers residents to reflect on the lessons of the six-month emergency rule, stressing that “the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war.”