Fubara’s cabinet: Rivers assembly replaces Wike ex-commissioners, screened six others

The faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly in support of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday, screened and confirmed eight commissioners-designate as members of the State Executive Council.

The Assembly, led by the Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, screened the nominees during their sitting at the temporary legislative chambers at the Administrative Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Two former commissioners, Dr Peter Medee and Eloka Tasie-Amadi, who served under the immediate-past administration of Nyesom Wike, as Energy and Works Commissioners, respectively were asked by the House to take a bow and leave.

The other six nominees were asked few questions by the pro-Fubara lawmakers and were consequently given a clean bill of health as commissioners-designate.

The exit of five pro-Wike commissioners last week had created vacancies in the cabinet.

The commissioners resigned their positions amid the feud between Wike and Fubara, citing a toxic working environment for their decision to leave.

The Speaker, on Tuesday, charged the screened commissioners-designate to join hands with Fubara towards delivering the dividends of democracy to Rivers people.

He also advised the governor not to be distracted but to continue the good work he was doing.

Victor Oko-Jumbo said, “As a legislature what we can do is to ensure that we create an atmosphere where His Excellency will do more.

“While we commend His Excellency for his numerous achievements in office we also use this opportunity to call on His Excellency not to be distracted. We call on him to remain focused on the mandate that the people of Rivers State have given to him.

“We also call on him not to be biased. He should continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.”

Speaking to newsmen after the screening, the Leader of the House, Sokari Goodboy, commended the governor for the calibre of people sent to the House for screening.

“Today we held our sitting and in the order paper we had the screening of eight commissioners and we know too well that the executive arm of the State needs to be filled and we are happy and proud of the nominees.

“The names the Governor forwarded to us are all men of great repute. They have good Curriculum Vitae. Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie as the Speaker of the third Assembly during that period the seat of 25 members was declared vacant,” Goodboy said.