Pro-Wike commissioners face fresh screening to rejoin Fubara’s cabinet

The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Monday, invited nine former commissioners who resigned from the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for fresh screening as commissioners.

The commissioners resigned in the heat of the crisis between Fubara and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.

A good number of them previously served in Wike’s cabinet and retained the same positions or portfolios in Fubara’s cabinet.

Their invitation for fresh screening was contained in a public announcement signed by the Clark of the Assembly, Emeka Amadi, sighted by our correspondent on Monday.

The recall of the commissioners was part of the eight-point resolution reached at a mediation meeting in Abuja headed by President Bola Tinubu.

As part of peace moves, Fubara was directed to reappoint the pro-Wike commissioners who resigned from his cabinet.

Of the nine nominees seven served under Wike as commissioners, while Emeka Woke, who was Chief of Staff to Wike, was the Commissioner for Special Duties to Fubara, before his resignation.

Dr Gift Worlu, though a staunch supporter of Wike, held no position during the latter’s reign, but was appointed Commissioner for Housing by Fubara, and resigned along with the others loyal to Wike.

The letter from the Assembly Clark read: “The Rivers State House of Assembly hereby invites the following commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation as members of the Rivers State Executive Council.

“Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), Dr. Jacobson Mbina,  Dr. Gift Worlu, Mrs Inime Chinwenwo- Aguma, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, Dr. George Des-Kelly, Hon. Isaac Kamalu, and Engr. Austin Chioma.”

They were asked to present themselves before the Assembly at 10 am on  Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

“Nominees are to come along with 40 sets of curriculum vitae, photocopies of their credentials and their originals,” the public announcement added.

Efforts to reach the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, for comments, were unsuccessful as he did not pick up calls put across to his mobile line by our correspondent.

He had also yet to reply to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report on Monday morning.

The PUNCH reports that the lawmakers also, last week, called on Fubara to present the 2024 budget afresh.

The governor earlier presented the budget to the faction of the Assembly loyal to him and subsequently signed the budget into law.

However, following Tinubu’s intervention, it was resolved that Fubara would present the budget approval to get the legislature’s approval.