Submit list of new commissioner nominees in 48 hours, Rivers assembly tells Fubara

The Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara 48 hours to present a new list of commissioner nominees.

In a letter dated March 5, the Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, accused Fubara of unlawfully swearing in 19 commissioners without undergoing the required screening and confirmation process by the legislature, which they argue violates the Nigerian Constitution.

The lawmakers further claimed that Fubara made multiple appointments to positions that legally require the Assembly’s approval before taking office. The letter cited several other constitutional violations, including Fubara’s failure to submit the nomination of an attorney-general and commissioner for justice to the Assembly before appointing and swearing in Dagogo Iboroma to the position.

Other commissioners listed in the letter include Charles O. Beke, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Peter Medee, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, Basoene Joshua Benibo, Tambari Sydney Gbara, Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma, Illamu Arugu, Rowland Obed Whyte, Samuel Anya, Samuel Eyiba, Austin Emeka Nnadozie, Israel Ngbuelu, Evans Bipi, Otamiri Ngubo, Benibo Alabraba, and Emmanuel Frank-Fubara.

The letter also highlighted additional infractions, including the swearing-in of Lawrence Oko-Jaja as Chairman and several other members of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement without the mandatory screening and confirmation by the Assembly, as stipulated in the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008.

Similarly, the appointment of Goodlife Ben as Chairman and several other members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission was done without Assembly confirmation, violating Section 44(3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.

The letter concluded by demanding that the Governor submit a list of new commissioner nominees, along with nominees for other positions requiring Assembly approval, within 48 hours. The House emphasized that these violations not only undermine the law but also threaten the integrity of the state’s democracy, urging the Governor to comply with the 1999 Constitution and other relevant laws for the benefit of the people of Rivers State.

In a related development, the Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, ordering all elected members to resume sitting.

Additionally, the Court upheld a Federal High Court ruling that prevents the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State. The Court also nullified the October 5, 2024, local government election in the state.