Rivers Assembly rejects Fubara’s commissioners, gives 48 hours ultimatum for fresh nominees

The Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara 48 hours to submit 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 legislative screening and confirmation, claiming this violates the Constitution.

The lawmakers also stated that the governor made several other appointments to positions requiring assembly approval before the appointees could take office.

Among the alleged violations, the assembly pointed to Dagogo Iboroma’s appointment and swearing-in as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice without first getting legislative confirmation.

The letter stated, “That another infraction of the law is the swearing in of Lawrence Oko-Jaja as Chairman; Earnest Ibekwe Ekwe; Mina Ogbanga; Iseleye Amachree and Adokiye Oyagiri as members of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement on Friday 30th of August 2024 without screening and confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly as stipulated in Section 4(a) of the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008. Others are Gift Alex-Hart; Grace Osaronu and Selinah Amonieah as members,” the letter reads.

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“That the swearing-in of Goodlife Ben as chairman; Emmanuel Jaja, Betty Warmate; Jerome Chimenem; Prince Ohochukwu; Philip Okparaji and Christian Amadi as members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission without screening and confirmation contrary to Section 44(3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 is another infraction.

“That these appointments by you that are highlighted and other appointments made but not mentioned here for want of space that are not in consonance with extant laws are not only infractions but are seriously threatening our nascent democracy so, should and shall be remedied.

“That the House requests you to submit a list of nominees for appointment as commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council as well as list of nominees for appointment to fill vacancies in all the offices mentioned above or those not listed but require screening and confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly within 48 hours.”

The lawmakers urged Fubara to follow the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and other laws governing the state.

Meanwhile, last Friday, the Supreme Court ordered the Amaewhule-led assembly faction and other elected lawmakers to resume sitting.

The apex court also upheld a Federal High Court ruling that prevents the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory allocations to Rivers State.

Additionally, the court nullified the local government election that took place in Rivers State on October 5, 2024.