Resignation galore: Three more commissioners quit Fubara’s cabinet — nine in 48 hours

Three more commissioners have resigned from the cabinet of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state.

Gift Worlu, commissioner for housing, Jacobson Nbina, commissioner for transport, and Austin Ben-Chioma (pictured), commissioner for environment, tendered their resignations on Friday.

In his resignation letter, Worlu said his decision was hinged on “personal reasons that require immediate attention”.

“I am writing this letter to tender my resignation from the post of Hon. Commissioner for Housing in Rivers State. I am resigning because of personal reasons that require immediate attention,” the letter reads.

Nbina and Ben-Chioma also cited “personal reasons” while quitting the cabinet.

The development means that nine commissioners have resigned from Fubara’s cabinet within 48 hours, amid the political crisis in the state.

BELOW ARE THE COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE RESIGNED

1. Zacchaeus Adangor — Commissioner of justice and attorney-general
2. George-Kelly Alabo — Commissioner for works
3. Inime Aguma — Commissioner for social welfare and rehabilitation
4. Emeka Woke — Commissioner for special duties
5. Chinedu Mmom — Commissioner for education
6. Isaac Kamalu — Commissioner for finance
7. Gift Worlu — Commissioner for housing
8. Jacobson Nbina — Commissioner for transport
9. Austin Ben-Chioma — Commissioner for environment

BACKGROUND

Fubara and Nyesom Wike, former Rivers governor and current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), are at loggerheads over control of the political structure of the state.

The feud between the duo snowballed to the Rivers assembly — a development that has led to the polarisation of the state legislature.

The faction loyal to the state governor has five members and is led by Edison Ehie, while the one led by Martin Amaewhule, has 26 members.

On Wednesday, Fubara presented the 2024 budget to the Ehie-led faction of the assembly.

Ehie had earlier declared the seats of 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), vacant.

Just before the budget presentation by the governor, the state government commenced the demolition of the assembly complex, stating that there were cracks on the walls of the building from the October fire incident.