The number of resignations in the Rivers State Executive Council has increased to nine, with two additional commissioners stepping down after seven of their colleagues left Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s cabinet.
The latest resignations come from the Commissioner for Special Projects, Emeka Woke, and Commissioner for Environment Austen Ben-Chioma.
Woke, formerly Chief of Staff to ex-governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, served as the Local Government Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area.
His resignation letter, dated November 14, 2023, as that of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), whose resignation was first to be reported, cited family demands and a desire to provide opportunities for other deserving individuals as reasons for stepping down.
“My decision to resign at this time necessitated by pressing family demands for my time and attention as well as the desire to afford other deserving Rivers people the opportunity to serve you and the state in that capacity,” Woke’s letter read in part.
Ben-Chioma served as Commissioner for Urban Development in the immediate past administration.
Ben-Chioma’s resignation letter, dated December 15, 2023, mentioned personal reasons for his decision.
Those who resigned earlier include the state’s Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, Commissioner for Works George-Kelly Alabo, Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner Inime Aguma and Commissioner of Finance, Isaac Kamalu.
Others are Commissioner of Transportation, Dr Jacobson B. Nbina, State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu, as well as the State Commissioner for Housing, Gift Worlu.
The Rivers State cabinet is now left with about 8 commissioners assuming more cabinet members have not resigned yet.
The total number of resignations from the cabinet is now nine, marking a significant development amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
Ada Peter
