Rivers assembly gives Fubara 48 hours to submit list of new commissioner nominees

The Rivers house of assembly has given Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, 48 hours to submit a new list of commissioner nominees.

In a letter dated March 5, the assembly led by Martin Amaewhule, speaker, accused Fubara of “illegally” swearing in 19 commissioners without screening and confirmation by the legislature, which he said violates the Nigerian constitution.

The lawmakers also alleged that Fubara made several other appointments into positions that legally require the approval of the assembly before assumption of office. 

The letter highlighted other alleged constitutional breaches, including the failure to forward the nomination of an attorney-general and commissioner for justice to the assembly before appointing and swearing in Dagogo Iboroma to the position.

Other commissioners listed include Charles O. Beke, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Peter Medee, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, Basoene Joshua Benibo, Tambari Sydney Gbara and Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma.

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.

“That another infraction of the law is the swearing in of Lawrence Oko-Jaja as Chairman; Earnest Ibekwe Ekwe; Mina Ogbanga; Iseleye Amachree and Adokiye Oyagiri as members of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement on Friday 30th of August 2024 without screening and confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly as stipulated in Section 4(a) of the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008. Others are Gift Alex-Hart; Grace Osaronu and Selinah Amonieah as members,” the letter reads.

“That the swearing-in of Goodlife Ben as chairman; Emmanuel Jaja, Betty Warmate; Jerome Chimenem; Prince Ohochukwu; Philip Okparaji and Christian Amadi as members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission without screening and confirmation contrary to Section 44(3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 is another infraction.

“That these appointments by you that are highlighted and other appointments made but not mentioned here for want of space that are not in consonance with extant laws are not only infractions but are seriously threatening our nascent democracy so, should and shall be remedied.

“That the House requests you to submit a list of nominees for appointment as commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council as well as list of nominees for appointment to fill vacancies in all the offices mentioned above or those not listed but require screening and confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly within 48 hours.

“We, therefore, urge you to act fast and do the needful by complying with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and other extant laws in the best interest of the good people of Rivers state.”

In a judgment on Friday, the supreme court ordered the Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers state house of assembly and other elected members of the house to resume sitting.

The apex court also affirmed the judgment of a federal high court that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers state.

Furthermore, the court nullified the local government election held in Rivers state on October 5, 2024.