The Rivers State political crisis deepened further on Thursday as six commissioners loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike resigned from the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This was as the two factions of the split state House of Assembly held separate sittings on Thursday.
The 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 Press.
The Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly, said he resigned because “my conscience will not allow me to stay.”
The social welfare commissioner, Mrs Aguma, said, “I have other commitments.”
The AGF, Adangor, on his part, said the resignation was based on “personal principles.”
Woke and Kamalu simply asked our reporter to look out for their letters of resignation to see their reasons.
Meanwhile, the education commissioner, in his resignation letter dated December 14, 2023 addressed to the Governor through the Secretary to the State Government, 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.”
Our correspondent learnt that six other commissioners had also tendered their resignations but could not confirm the claim.
Meanwhile, the two factions of the state House of Assembly held parallel sitting at different locations on Thursday.
The Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, who leads 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, sat at the Assembly quarters along Aba Road Port Harcourt.
On the other hand, the Edison Ehie-led faction, which is loyal to Fubara, reportedly held plenary at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The PUNCH reports that the state governor 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.
Fubara, on Wednesday, presented the state’s 2024 budget to the Ehie faction.
He signed the N800bn budget into law on Thursday, pledging full implementation.
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.”
The governor said no efforts would be spared in implementing to the full the planned quality projects and services itemised in the 2024 budget.
END.