Unveiling actual cause of Fubara and Wike dispute

It is stated that the primary source of the current political dispute between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Governor Nyesom Wike, is the appointment dispute.

Wike gave Fubara the list of commissioners, special advisers, and other important aides along with their portfolios, PUNCH said.

Read Also: FCT: Wike pleads with Senate to approve budget of N17bn

Fubara had no influence on the appointments, according to a close assistant to the governor who made this revelation; his predecessor was the only one in charge of choosing and appointing them.

According to the source, the fact that some commissioners resigned confirmed that Wike, who appointed Fubara as the governor’s replacement, had imposed them rather than the governor’s choice.

“Yes, the commissioners’ resignation has demonstrated that they were not appointed by the governor,” the aide said. He never nominated them. The outgoing governor sent the governor a list of commissioners and advisers along with instructions on what portfolios and posts they should hold. The governor was even given authority over security personnel and given precise orders about where to station them.

Is there a way for the governor to appoint advisers, commissioners, and other officials, and have them retire in this manner? It isn’t achievable. Remember that we have only been in office for roughly seven months. The governor’s designated commissioners refuse to resign.

The source added, “Yes, the former governor was correct to say he bought the forms for everyone,” in response to the FCT minister’s assertion that the governor and all other elected officials in Rivers State did not purchase nomination forms out of their own pockets. But, please, with what cash? You are aware of the salary of a governor as well as the expense of the Peoples Democratic Party’s nomination and expression of interest forms.

“Let those who wish to depart, and the governor will gather his team members—not spies sent to gather intelligence on the administration.”

Commissioner resignations continue

On Friday, three further commissioners joined the Rivers State Executive Council’s resignation frenzy.

These commissioners are Dr. Jacobson Nbina for transportation, Dr. Gift Worlu for housing, and Austen Ben-Chioma for the environment.

Separate letters, which one of our correspondents cited, contained their resignations and were sent to the governor via the Secretary to the State Government.

Wike also appointed Nbina and Austen-Ben Chioma as commissioners.

This takes the total number of commissioners who have resigned their positions to nine.

Nbina stated, “Yes, I resigned yesterday (Thursday),” after confirming his resignation.

When asked why he did what he did, he replied, “It has to do with commitments to my family and myself. I have no grievances about the governor. It is really intimate.

Though it hasn’t been verified, there were rumours that their actions were laying the groundwork for them to formally defect to the APC.

Fubara’s cabinet had earlier seen the resignations of Prof. Chinedu Mmom (Education), Mrs. Inime Aguma (Social Welfare and Rehabilitation), Prof. Isaac Kamalu (Finance), Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice), and Dr. Des George-Kelly (Works).

Before being reappointed by Fubara, Mmom, Adangor, Aguma, George-Kelly, Nbina, and Kamalu were all commissioners during the Wike government that just ended.

Wike’s chief of staff for eight years was Emeka Woke, who also left Fubara’s cabinet to serve as special duties commissioner.

Speaking on Wednesday, Chief Tony Okocha, the APC’s Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State, stated that this weekend will mark the official debut of the new party in the state, adding, “You will see the tsunami that will happen that day.”

Assembly demolition is still ongoing.

The state House of Assembly structure was still being demolished on Friday, with the sacred chambers being fully removed.

Upon visiting the complex at around 10 a.m., one of our journalists observed that four bulldozers were in the process of demolishing other nearby structures.

Joe Johnson, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, had informed reporters that the state government had decided to demolish the complex constructed under Dr Peter Odili’s administration because, following the governor’s visit to evaluate the damage caused by the October 29, 2023 explosion, he had gotten in touch with a firm that had revealed the building had integrity issues and was unfit for legislative business.

Thus, the complex will be rebuilt by the government. However, the lawmakers would have a place to sit until the building is finished thanks to a facility given by the state, Johnson had said.

The Assembly entrance was guarded by a patrol van full of police officers, and although there were no longer any physical barriers preventing vehicles from entering the complex, security blockades were still in place on both ends of Moscow Road.