Rivers Crisis Deepens As Seven Commissioners Resign Amid Political Turmoil

Port-Harcourt, Rivers State– No fewer than seven commissioners have tendered their resignation in Rivers State, adding to the political turbulence in the State.

Dr. Jacobson B. Nbina, the Commissioner of Transportation for Rivers State, Prof. Prince Chinedu, the Commissioner for Education, and Dr. Gift Worlu, the Commissioner for Housing, have recently submitted their resignation letters, marking their departure from Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.

“I hereby resign my appointment as the Hon. Commissioner for Transport, Rivers State with effect from today, Thursday 14th December 2023,” Nbina stated in his resignation letter addressed to the governor.

“My decision to resign is personal and due to family commitments. I sincerely thank Your Excellency for the opportunity granted me to serve in your administration as a member of the State Executive Council and wish you a successful tenure. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”

Likewise, Worlu attributed his decision to resign to “personal reasons that demand my immediate attention.”

“As I move forward, I want to assure you of my continued support and dedication to the welfare and advancement of Rivers State. I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve, and I extend my best wishes to you and the administration as you continue to steer the affairs of our beloved State.”

The initial wave of resignations was initiated by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor.

His resignation is reportedly connected to the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Mr. Wike.

Mr. Adango’s resignation came to light a day following the declaration of vacant seats for the 27 defected lawmakers by a House of Assembly constituted with only four members loyal to Governor Fubara.

The Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly Alabo, who previously served in the same role under Nyesom Wike’s government, along with the Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner, Inime Aguma, and their Finance counterpart, Isaac Kamalu, would subsequently tender their resignations.

“I hereby resign my appointment as the Commissioner for Works, Rivers State, effective immediately. My decision to resign is anchored on my conscience, personal philosophy, and professional ethics,” Alabo said in the letter addressed to the governor. “This decision was taken after deep introspection. I appreciate Your Excellency for the opportunity to serve my beloved Rivers State as Commissioner for Works.”

The Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, on her part, cited “personal” reasons for her resignation from the cabinet and expressed well wishes to the current administration.

“I hereby tender my resignation as the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Rivers State on this day 14th of December 2023,” she wrote. “I thank Your Excellency for the privilege to serve in the State Executive Council. My decision to resign is personal and based on other pressing commitments. I wish Your Excellency a successful tenure and pray for best wishes in all your endeavours.”

The Finance Commissioner, however, did not provide reasons for his withdrawal from the cabinet.

“I hereby inform you of my immediate resignation as Commissioner of Finance, Rivers State with effect from the date stated above,” he said in his letter. “I thank you for the opportunity granted me to serve our dear State under your administration.”

In his resignation earlier in the day, Adangor said the move was based “purely on personal decision”.