As part of new efforts to stabilize the state’s government, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is said to have sent a list of commissioner nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly for review and approval.
A source close to the governor told Business Day that the list was sent to the House on Friday, just a few days after Fubara dismissed all Special Advisers and disbanded the State Executive Council.
Many believe the incident is a part of the recent peace between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, mediated by President Bola Tinubu.
The list was presented to the Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule, whose leadership was acknowledged by the Supreme Court after the state was rocked by a political crisis, the source said.
It is anticipated that in the days ahead, the parliamentarians will begin the screening and confirmation procedure.
Some nominees might be from Wike’s political tent in the interest of reconciliation, the source continued.
There were only eight commissioners working with Fubara prior to the cabinet’s dissolution because of the lengthy political impasse with the Assembly.
Additionally, there are hints that, as part of President Tinubu’s larger efforts at reconciliation, the governor would name a new chief of staff.
It is also anticipated that Fubara will commission the recently built House of Assembly Complex as part of the peace process, allowing MPs to move out of their temporary accommodations.
The governor has already forwarded the names of commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly, the source said. They must now be invited for screening by the speaker. The Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike’s camp may provide some names in the sake of reconciliation. Additionally, commissioners who did well may be reappointed.
“With the commissioning of the governor’s house complex, lawmakers will relocate from their temporary quarters to the new facility.”
A symbolic and pragmatic step toward strengthening the peace between the governor and the Assembly, led by Amaewhule, is the complex’s commissioning.
As of the time this article was filed, neither the governor’s chief press secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, nor the Rivers State House of Assembly has formally acknowledged the submission of the nomination list.
However, after the Assembly starts the screening process, the list is anticipated to be made public.
