‘Reappointment of resigned commissioners will have to wait’ — Fubara fires first shot at Wike hours after Supreme Court verdict
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared that the reappointment of the resigned commissioners will be put on hold for now. Governor Fubara of Rivers State has declared that the reappointment of the recently resigned commissioners will be put on hold.
The Rivers State government has reiterated its commitment to upholding a Federal High Court order, maintaining the status quo until February 28 concerning the reappointment of nine former commissioners. These commissioners had willingly resigned in December 2023 amidst heightened political tensions within the state.
Addressing public concerns on the recent re-screening of the commissioners, Joe Johnson, the Commissioner of Information in the state, clarified that the action aligns with both the Abuja agreement and the court order. Speaking on the Real Talk program on Today 95.1 FM, Johnson stated, “The Assembly didn’t develop it on their own; it was something that we sent. It was not forged.” Advertisements He went on to explain that the decision was part of an eight-point agenda established during discussions between the governor and the President. Johnson emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the state and obedience to the rule of law. He highlighted the conflicting judgments from the Omotosho and Abdul Malik courts, noting that the government would abide by the directive to maintain the status quo until February 28.
Despite the re-screening of the resigned commissioners on January 17, they remain uninaugurated, adding to the political complexity in the region. In a separate development, 16 new Permanent Secretaries were sworn in on January 16 to assume administrative responsibilities.
The political tension, which surfaced barely six months into Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s term, is reportedly rooted in the struggle for control over the political structure within Rivers State.
