The crisis rocking the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state has taken a new dimension as the state House of Assembly has voided all appointed made by the governor in the last six months.
Also voided are all the Commissioners in the state, following accusations of constitutional violations and thereby requesting that the governor should submit fresh list in the next 48 hours.
According to tha state assembly in a letter dated March 5, the assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, criticized the governor for swearing in 19 commissioners without the required legislative screening and confirmation.
The lawmakers alleged that Fubara’s actions, which they say violate the Constitution, were part of a broader pattern of unlawful appointments into offices that require approval from the assembly.
Among the most notable infractions cited was the appointment and swearing-in of Dagogo Iboroma as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, without prior confirmation by the assembly. The letter also referenced the swearing-in of Lawrence Oko-Jaja, Earnest Ibekwe Ekwe, Mina Ogbanga, Iseleye Amachree, and Adokiye Oyagiri as members of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement on August 30, 2024, without legislative screening as mandated by the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008.
The assembly further highlighted the appointment of Goodlife Ben as chairman, alongside other members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, which occurred without the necessary confirmation by the legislature, violating the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.
The lawmakers argued that these appointments, and others not specifically listed, threaten the integrity of the state’s democracy. They called for the governor to submit a new list of nominees for commissioners and other key positions within 48 hours to ensure compliance with the law.
The assembly urged Governor Fubara to respect the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and other relevant state laws to restore order and transparency in the appointment process.