*Tension as Rivers Assembly factions hold parallel sittings
The political crisis in Rivers State, on Thursday, took a new dimension as six commissioners loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike resigned from the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara within 24 hours.
The six commissioners, who tendered their resignation were the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN); Commissioner for Works, Dr Des George-Kelly; Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Woke; Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Aguma; the Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu and the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom.
Of the six commissioners, five served under Wike’s administration in the same capacity, while Woke was Wike’s Chief of Staff for eight years.
All the five commissioners confirmed their resignation to The PUNCH on the telephone.
The Rivers Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zacchaeus Adangor, was the first commissioner to resign on Thursday, saying that the resignation was based on “personal principles.”
The Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly, said he resigned because “my conscience will not allow me to stay” while the social welfare commissioner, Mrs Aguma, said, “I have other commitments.”
Woke and Kamalu simply asked journalists to look out for their letters of resignation and see their reasons.
In his resignation letter dated December 14, 2023 and addressed to the Governor through the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner for Education, Chinedu Mmom, said, “I hereby resign my appointment as the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Rivers State for personal reasons.
“I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity given to me to serve in your administration and wish you the best as you carry on with the governance of the state.”
Meanwhile, the two factions of the state House of Assembly held parallel sitting at different locations in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, who leads 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, sat at the Assembly quarters along Aba Road Port Harcourt while the Edison Ehie-led faction, which is loyal to Fubara, held plenary at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
It is important to note that Governor Fubara had on Wednesday sent bulldozers to demolish the State Assembly complex, while the four pro-Fubara lawmakers declared the seats of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers vacant following their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Fubara, on Wednesday, presented the state’s N800billion 2024 Budget to the Ehie faction while the governor signed the budget into law on Thursday and pledged full implementation.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Fubara stated, “This budget shows that we have a plan for our dear state. One of the reasons why our budget is in the volume of N800bn is that we intend, not just by desiring, to ensure that one key request of our dear state is met. God being our helper, we will commence immediately, by next year, flagging off the actual and main Trans-Kalabari Road project Phase 2.
“We have also, in our budget, provided to take care of the Elele-Omoku Road project, a road that cuts through Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas. We are also taking that project as one of our cardinal achievements of this administration. We are not going back on it.”
Fubara also said no efforts would be spared in implementing to the full, the planned quality projects and services itemised in the 2024 budget.
He said, “I want to assure you that this administration has the best interest of our people. It is an administration that wants everyone to have hope.
“We have keyed into the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President Bola Tinubu to continue to assure our people of hope. The best of us will be seen by everyone.
“We will continue to protect the interest of our people, do the best for everyone, not minding your position or class.
“Our government is a responsive and inclusive government. Our eyes and ears are open to the needs of our people. We will not disappoint you.”
In his speech, the factional Speaker, Ehie assured Fubara of the continued support of the lawmakers to ensure the success for the administration.
Meanwhile, the pro-Wike faction, during their sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, “resolved to adopt and convert the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters to its hallowed chamber.”
In a statement made available on Thursday, the lawmakers condemned what they described as “heartless and brazen demolition of the House of Assembly complex by Governor Siminialayi Fubara, without the approval and knowledge of the House.”
The pro-Wike House in a motion sponsored by 26 members and moved by Ofiks Kabang, representing Andoni Constituency, drew the attention of the Federal Government, the Inspector-General of Police and the international community, to the constant attack by Fubara on the Rivers State legislature.
Also, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Caretaker Commitee in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, said the demolition of the House of Assembly by Fubara would not stop pro-Wike lawmakers from sitting.
Okocha confirmed that the lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the APC on Tuesday, met on Thursday.
He said, “The House of Assembly can be moved to anywhere. It is not necessarily tied down to a building. Provided the mace is present there, members can sit anywhere. As of this morning, the 27 lawmakers met and even signed some resolutions.”
In a related development, the pro-Fubara Speaker, on Thursday wrote to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), informing the electoral body of the 25 vacancies in the Assembly, following the defection of the pro-Wike lawmakers.
