The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Monday, invited nine former commissioners who resigned from the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for fresh screening as commissioners.
The commissioners resigned in the heat of the crisis between Fubara and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.
A good number of them previously served in Wike’s cabinet and retained the same positions or portfolios in Fubara’s cabinet.
Their invitation for fresh screening was contained in a public announcement signed by the Clark of the Assembly, Emeka Amadi, sighted by our correspondent on Monday.
The recall of the commissioners was part of the eight-point resolution reached at a mediation meeting in Abuja headed by President Bola Tinubu.
As part of peace moves, Fubara was directed to reappoint the pro-Wike commissioners who resigned from his cabinet.
Of the nine nominees seven served under Wike as commissioners, while Emeka Woke, who was Chief of Staff to Wike, was the Commissioner for Special Duties to Fubara, before his resignation.
Dr Gift Worlu, though a staunch supporter of Wike, held no position during the latter’s reign, but was appointed Commissioner for Housing by Fubara, and resigned along with the others loyal to Wike.
The letter from the Assembly Clark read: “The Rivers State House of Assembly hereby invites the following commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation as members of the Rivers State Executive Council.
“Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), Dr. Jacobson Mbina, Dr. Gift Worlu, Mrs Inime Chinwenwo- Aguma, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, Dr. George Des-Kelly, Hon. Isaac Kamalu, and Engr. Austin Chioma.”
They were asked to present themselves before the Assembly at 10 am on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
“Nominees are to come along with 40 sets of curriculum vitae, photocopies of their credentials and their originals,” the public announcement added.
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, said the governor was aware of the Assembly’s invitation to the ex-commissioners.
Johnson said, “We had a meeting with Mr President. We had an eight-point agenda and we are trying to keep our own part of the bargain. It doesn’t matter who wrote or who didn’t write.
“It is part of our own bargain to respect the agreement reached with Mr President.”
Asked if the governor would also present the 2024 budget afresh to the lawmakers, the commissioner said, “One step at a time. Any bridge we get to, we cross.”
The PUNCH reports that the lawmakers also, last week, called on Fubara to present the 2024 budget afresh.
The governor earlier presented the budget to the faction of the Assembly loyal to him and subsequently signed the budget into law.
However, following Tinubu’s intervention, it was resolved that Fubara would present the budget approval to get the legislature’s approval.
