No fewer than eight commissioners in total have tendered their resignation as the crisis in Rivers state deepens further.
Those who have resigned are reported to have strong ties with Nyesom Wike who is the current minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to political watchers, the resignations are apparently linked to the power tussle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Out of the six commissioners, five served under Wike’s administration in the same capacity, while Woke was Wike’s Chief of Staff for eight years.
Chief Dr Jacobson Nbina resigned his appointment as the Commissioner for Transport in Rivers State.
He becomes the eighth commissioner to resign from the state executive council.
The state’s Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice Prof Zacchaeus Adangor was the first to lead the wave of resignations.
The Commissioner for Works, Dr George-Kelly Alabo, and that of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Chinwenwo-Aguma, tendered their resignation letters on Thursday.
Also, the State Commissioner for Housing, Dr Gift Worlu resigned.
The political crisis also took a toll on the state’s legislature – 27 lawmakers who defected from the PDP, of which Fubara is a member, to the APC, had their seats declared vacant by a factional speaker who is loyal to the governor.
As it is, the House of Assembly is run by only four out of 31 members.
The four lawmakers are loyal to Fubara while the 27 are with Wike.
The commissioners, who tendered their resignation so far are:
- Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN).
- Commissioner for Works, Dr Des George-Kelly
- Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Woke.
- Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Aguma.
- Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu.
- Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom.
- Commissioner for Housing, Dr Gift Worlu.
- Commissioner for Transport, Dr Jacobson Nbina
