The Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed receipt of a list of commissioner-nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and has invited nine of them to appear for screening and confirmation.
The nominees’ names were forwarded to the Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule for consideration as members of the Rivers State Executive Council.
The development comes about three weeks after Governor Fubara relieved eight commissioners, who were not affected by the recent Supreme Court ruling affirming Amaewhule as Speaker, of their duties and also terminated the appointments of his Special Advisers.
The invitation to the nominees was conveyed in a special government announcement dated March 3 and signed by the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi.
According to the statement, the House directed the nominees to submit 40 copies of their curriculum vitae, photocopies of credentials and evidence of tax compliance.
“The Rivers State House of Assembly hereby invites nominees for appointment as commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council to submit forty (40) sets of their curriculum vitae, photocopies of credentials and evidence of compliance with tax obligations,” the notice read.
The nominees listed for screening are Professor Datonye Alasia, Mr Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Mrs Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, Mr Lekue Kenneth, Otonye Amachree and Amairigha Edward Hart.
“All documents should be forwarded to the office of the Clerk of the House at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters,” the statement added.
None of the recently dismissed commissioners featured on the new list submitted to lawmakers.
The latest move follows months of political tension between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, which had culminated in impeachment proceedings initiated by 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.
President Bola Tinubu had intervened in the protracted crisis, facilitating dialogue between the parties. Subsequently, Speaker Amaewhule announced the withdrawal of the impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy, in line with commitments reached after the President’s mediation.
Political observers say additional nominees are expected in the coming days, as Rivers State, with its 23 local government areas, requires a full complement of commissioners to complete the State Executive Council.
