A fresh wave of resignations has struck the Rivers State Government, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with five more commissioners stepping down. These commissioners are known to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The resignations include Chinedu Mmom from the Ministry of Education, Gift Worlu from the Ministry of Housing, and Jacobson Nbina from the Ministry of Transport. Inime Aguma resigned as the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, stating that “there is no room for progressional development in the workplace.”
Additionally, Austin Ben-Chioma resigned as the Commissioner for Environment, citing “the political crisis befalling our dear Rivers State and other personal reasons.”
Mmom and Worlu both attributed their resignations to a toxic working environment, while Nbina pointed to “unresolved political crisis” in the state as his reason for leaving.
These five commissioners were part of a group who first resigned last December amidst the political turmoil in the state but were reinstated into Fubara’s cabinet after President Bola Tinubu intervened.
Previously, three other commissioners; Zacchaeus Adangor from the Ministry of Justice, Emeka Woke from the Ministry of Special Projects, and Alabo George-Kelly from the Ministry of Works—also resigned.
Governor Fubara has recently announced plans to establish a panel of inquiry to investigate the governance of the state under Wike’s administration. Fubara has accused his opponents of intentionally sabotaging his administration, although he has expressed hope for an amicable resolution to the issues in the state.
This development is the latest twist in the ongoing political crisis in the oil-rich state, deepening the feud between Fubara and the state House of Assembly.
Last week, lawmakers loyal to the governor elected a new speaker. Fubara also issued an executive order relocating the sitting venue of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the Government House, citing safety concerns.
The feud stems from the fallout between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the FCT. Although President Tinubu intervened in the crisis last year, the conflict remains unresolved.
