Fubara Moves On With 10 Commissioners As Wike Storms Port Harcourt

Nine Commissioners out of 19 appointed into the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, have resigned their offices.

The gale of resignations had hit the State’s Executive Council following the political crisis between the Governor of the state, Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

As at Saturday, nine of the commissioners who were brought and are reportedly sticking to Wike left their offices in a shocking turn of events.

They include 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, Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu.

Others are, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom, Commissioner for Housing, Dr Gift Worlu, Commissioner for Transport, Dr Jacobson Nbina and Commissioner for Environment, Austin Ben-Chioma resigned.

However, as at the last count on Saturday, 10 of the Commissioners, who were also appointed by Wike but have reportedly switched their loyalty to Fubara are still in the cabinet.

These people include Chris Green, Commissioner for Sports, Mr Uchechukwu Nwafor, Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Roseline Uranta, Women Affairs, Prof. Henry Ogiri, Power, Engr. Charles Amadi, Chieftaincy and Community Development.

Others are Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Health, Dr. Kenneth Chisom Gbali, Youth Development, Joseph Johnson, Information and Communications, Victor Kii, Agriculture and Isaac Umejuru, Urban Development.

Commissioner for Housing, Worlu, and the Commissioner of Environment, Austen Ben-Chioma, who were appointed alongside the Information (Johnson), Urban Development (Umejuru) and Agriculture (Kii) were barely two months before they were caught up in the political crossfire in the state.

However, there are indications that there is pressure on other members of the cabinet to resign their offices in the cabinet.

Meantime, all the Commissioners from the four Ikwerre-speaking local government areas of the state, the FCT’s ethnic nationality, Ikwerre LGA, Prof. Mmom (Education), Emohua LGA, Woke (Special Projects), Obio/Akpor, Dr. Worlu (Housing) and Port-Harcourt City, Aguma (Social Welfare) have already resigned their positions.

Meanwhile, the gulf between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara appeared to have widened yesterday as the two gladiators avoided each other following the minister’s arrival in the state for some functions.

Wike was in Eleme for the burial of the mother of Chief Ejor while Fubara attended the convocation of the Rivers State University (RSU).

On the minister’s huge entourage were Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Senator Barry Mpigi, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Major Jack and some members of the Assembly loyal to him.

The rest included the Executive Director Finance and Administration of the NDDC, Alabo Boma Iyaye, Elder Ferdinand Alabraba, Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Allwell Ihunda and other local government chairmen and other dignitaries among others.

At the 35th convocation ceremony of the Rivers State University that took place at the Convocation Arena of the institution in Nkpolu-Orworukwo, Port Harcourt yesterday, Fubara, promised to strengthen the capacity of the Rivers State University (RSU) and make it one of the best in the country.

The governor said education remained the cornerstone for a firm, equitable and progressive society.

He said: “Bear in mind that funding is a problem, not just to this university system but also to governance. But as you all know, education is cornerstone of a firm, equitable and progressive society.

“Therefore, we will continue to do our best to finance our own university. Our commitment to make RSU one of the best in this country is a target and a process we have just started today.”

Fubara acknowledged the result-oriented approach adopted by the leadership of RSU to achieve the success being celebrated including securing full accreditation for all programmes in the institution despite the challenges.

He said: “Let me commend the VC for his innovation, result-oriented approach to administration of this university. Let me here promise this university community that the grant approved but not released will be released by Monday, 18th Dec., 2023.

“The essence of our commitment to education development is reflected in our 2024 budget where it received the third highest allocation.

“Let me, therefore, assure you that we will disburse a fair share of these resources to address the university’s most critical challenges, including support for the full and effective development of the new campuses, the provision of a stable power supply, the building of student hostels, and effective CCTV coverage to enhance safety and security in the campuses.”

Until now,Wike and Fubara were usually seen together at public functions.

In his address at yesterday’s convocation the Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof Nlerum Okogbule said 6,326 graduands were conferred with first degrees, postgraduate diplomas, Masters and Doctor of Philosophy.

Okogbule said that all 24 programmes in the university had full accreditation and that the admission quota for Medicine and Surgery programme increased from 100 to 200 students; Nursing and Midwife from 50 to 100 and all its four satellite campuses in good operation.

In his remarks, the Chancellor of the University, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad 1, who is also the Emir of Lafia Bare-Bari and Chairman of Nassarawa State Council of Chiefs demanded adequate funding of tertiary institutions to strengthen them to undertake researches that address developmental needs of the country.