The Rivers State House of Assembly has asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit a fresh list of commissioner nominees within 48 hours.
A letter dated 5th March from the Assembly, signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, said Fubara had sworn in 19 commissioners without going through the necessary screening and confirmation by the legislature.
The letter said such an act is unconstitutional. It also said the governor made other appointments to offices that require the Assembly’s approval before the appointees can take office.
For instance, the letter did not mention the nomination of the attorney-general before Swearing in Dagogo Iboroma as commissioner for justice.
Names like Charles O. Beke, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Peter Medee, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, Basoene Joshua Benibo, Tambari Sydney Gbara and Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma are among those sworn in as commissioners.
Others are Illamu Arugu, Rowland Obed Whyte, Samuel Anya, Samuel Eyiba, Austin Emeka Nnadozie, Israel Ngbuelu, Evans Bipi, Otamiri Ngubo, Benibo Alabraba and Emmanuel Frank-Fubara.
The letter also pointed out another infraction.
It said the swearing-in of Lawrence Oko-Jaja as Chairman and others including Earnest Ibekwe Ekwe, Mina Ogbanga, Iseleye Amachree and Adokiye Oyagiri as members of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement on 30th August 2024 without proper screening as required by Section 4(a) of the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008.
Gift Alex-Hart, Grace Osaronu and Selinah Amonieah are also mentioned.
Further, the letter condemned the appointment of Goodlife Ben as chairman along with Emmanuel Jaja, Betty Warmate, Jerome Chimenem, Prince Ohochukwu, Philip Okparaji and Christian Amadi as members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission which contravenes Section 44(3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.The Assembly warns that these irregular appointments and others not mentioned here for lack of space are not only constitutional breaches but also a threat to the state’s emerging democracy.
The letter asked the governor to correct these errors by submitting the required list of nominees for the Rivers State Executive Council and for filling vacancies in other positions that require Assembly screening and confirmation within 48 hours.
It stressed the need for compliance with the 1999 Constitution as amended and other laws in the interest of the people of Rivers State.
In a related judgment, the Supreme Court ordered the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Amaewhule and other elected members to resume sitting.
The apex court also upheld a federal high court judgment that restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State.
And the court voided the local government election held in Rivers State on 5th October 2024.