KEY POINTS

• Rivers State political crisis continues as the Assembly asks for the governor to replace 19 commissioners together with their appointees because their appointment lacked necessary legislative authorization.
• The speaker Martins Amaewhule demands the governor to post completely new appointee lists within 48 hours.
• Commissioner for Environment Sydney Tambari rejects the directive by stating every appointee underwent proper screening by a valid Assembly.

Rivers State House of Assembly members who support Nyesom Wike have stepped up their actions which might trigger the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from his position therefore stirring Rivers State political crisis.

The Assembly leader Martins Amaewhule issued a written order on Wednesday to have 19 commissioners alongside unapproved political appointees removed from office. The Speaker demanded Governor Fubara to present new nominations of appointees for legislative screening by the end of the day.

Disagreement causes Rivers State political crisis

The document written by Amaewhule highlighted that Fubara trespassed against the 1999 Constitution through his unapproved improper appointments. According to the Speaker the failure to present Dagogo Iboroma for screening as Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice violates constitutional terms.

The political disagreement between Governor Fubara and the Assembly reached its peak when proper screening procedures took place within 48 hours.

Supporters of Fubara reject all demands made by Assembly members

When asked to handle the Assembly’s orders about fresh commissioner screenings Commissioner for Environment Hon. Sydney Tambari explained that all commissioners received proper screening from the Assembly under Speaker Edison Ehie.

The former House members who left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) according to Tambari lacked any legal power to seek fresh appointments.

Edison Ehie performed the screening session according to court recognition as the authentic Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly. Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo succeeded Speaker Ehie to conduct screening of additional commissioners and appointees according to Tambari.

In his perspective the Supreme Court ruling on the 2024 budget stopped the Assembly from discharging commissioners because events have surpassed their request and there remains no reason for the governor to propose new nominations.

A power dispute between Governor Fubara and his predecessor Wike intensifies because both factions maintain control to exercise governance functions and maintain their legislative authority.