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Published on 2024-01-30 05:40:36
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has directed its fury at Governor Siminalayi Fubara over his recent appointments of government officials. The assembly strongly condemned the appointments, which included some key officials and commissioners, including loyalists of Nyesom Wike, the former governor. Political pundits perceived these appointments might later work against Governor Fubara.
The House ordered Fubara to withdraw his appointments into three government parastatals. According to Channels TV, the letter that backed the withdrawal notice was signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. The assembly noted that the appointments violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other extant laws.
One of the appointments that came under fire was that of Goodlife Ben as the Acting Chairman of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, which contravened the state’s Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018. The Assembly also expressed disapproval of the appointment of Ine Briggs as the acting Director-General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, Tonte Davies as acting administrator of a non-existent New Cities Development Authority (NCDA), and other new appointments. The members emphasized that the Governor did not have the authority to make these appointments without confirmation by a resolution of the House of Assembly.
The House warned that failure to withdraw these appointments would result in serious consequences, including possible impeachment. The assembly members are backed by a senior lawyer who said Fubara risked impeachment if he did not exercise caution.
This controversy comes after Governor Fubara credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Supreme Court victory over the governorship election dispute with his opposition. His subsequent actions, including the re-appointment of commissioners who had earlier resigned, have further exacerbated the tensions. Overall, the situation remains tense and the outcome is uncertain, with political interests and rivalries at play.
