Resubmit rejected nominees to State Assembly, Rivers groups tell Fubara

Some Groups in Rivers State have asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resubmit names of commissioner- nominees earlier rejected by the State House of Assembly.

This was as governance continues to slide, with heaps of refuse and an army of miscreants at bus stops taking centre stage in the State capital.

Civil society organisations, the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and others have called on the Executive and Legislative arms to take a step back and reconsider the nomination of Datonye Alasia, Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams and Otonye TKD Amachree.

Governor Fubara had on February 12, 2026 dissolved his cabinet, and subsequently sent a list of commissioner-nominees to the State Assembly.

The nominees included: Alasia, Datonye Alasia, Deemua, Williams and TKD Amachree. Others were Tonye Bellgam, Temple Nwofor, Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth and Amairigha Edward Hart.

The Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, during plenary on Monday, March 9, 2026 screened and confirmed Bellgam, Nwofor, Nwagor, Kenneth and Hart as commissioners-designate, while Alasia and Deemua, Williams and Amachree were not confirmed.

The lawmakers cited “poor performance” as reason for not confirming Alasia, adding that Demua did not present tax documents. Williams was said to have misled the public on the activities of the Assembly, while Amachree had over 11 petitions against him on his involvement in community cases.

Nasigba Peterside, Spokesperson of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups and Committee-Based Organisations in Rivers State, however told journalists that lawmakers must emphasize merits, professionalism, and ethics over political considerations in screening.

He said, “Given the sensitive nature of the health sector, we appeal to the governor to resubmit his nomination and we urge the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Right Honorable Martin Amaewhule to ensure a fair and merit-based review.”

Peterside said some of the nominees rejected by the Assembly, including Datonye Alasia, a Professor, have a track record of professionalism, adding that such persons should be reconsidered for the positions.

He urged the Assembly to reconsider Alasia’s nomination, adding that “We align with the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch, in calling for the reconsideration of their former chairman, Professor Datonye Alasia, a highly qualified and experienced professor of medicine with a strong record of service.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has emphasised respect for free expression and democratic norms following the disqualification of some commissioner nominees over opinions they had expressed in the media prior to their screening.

The union, led by Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, made its position known through a communiqué issued at the end of the State Congress on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers State Council of the NUJ described the live broadcast of the screening as “transparent and commendable,” but expressed dismay that some nominees were disqualified due to personal opinions previously expressed in the media.

The Union viewed this as a violation of freedom of expression and urged the legislature to adopt a more tolerant approach that encourages public participation and open debate.

The NUJ also called on the Assembly to recall suspended lawmakers in the spirit of reconciliation, noting that political inclusiveness and unity within the legislature are crucial for stability and effective governance.