Pro-Wike commissioner rejects redeployment, resigns from Fubara’s cabinet

Zacchaeus Adangor, former attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Rivers, has resigned from the cabinet of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers.

Adangor tendered his resignation hours after he was redeployed from the justice ministry to special duties.

In a letter addressed to Tammy Danagogo, secretary to the state government (SSG), Adangor said he is quitting Fubara’s administration with immediate effect.

“I, hereby, give you notice of my rejection of the said deployment and resignation from the Rivers State Executive Council with effect from 24th day of April, 2024,” the letter reads.

Adangor said he is “no longer willing to continue to serve” in Fubara’s administration “in any capacity whatsoever”.

He accused Fubara of “willfully” interfering in his duties as the commissioner of justice.

“It is important to mention that the Governor of Rivers State had in the past couple of weeks willfully interfered with the performance of my duties as the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State by directing me not to defend, oppose, or appear in suits instituted against the Honourable Attorney-General and the Government of Rivers State by persons admittedly hired and sponsored by the Government of Rivers State,” Adangor claimed.

Adangor said he is resigning as commissioner to “preserve my reputation”.

Adangor is a loyalist of Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers and minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

Adangor was among the commissioners who resigned from their positions last year following the political feud between Wike and Fubara.

The commissioners were later reinstated after Wike and Fubara signed a peace accord facilitated by President Bola Tinubu.

Wike and Fubara are locked in a struggle for control of Rivers’ political structure.

The political crisis led to the defection of 27 state house of assembly members, who are loyal to Wike, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers have been threatening the governor with impeachment. They have vetoed the governor in at least three bills after he declined his assent.