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Wave Of Resignations Hits Fubara’s Cabinet As Six Commissioners Step Down

The political upheaval in Rivers State continues as six commissioners resigned from Governor Sim Fubara’s cabinet 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.
The Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly Alabo, who previously served under Nyesom Wike, along with the Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner, Inime Aguma, and their Finance counterpart, Isaac Kamalu, all submitted separate resignation letters to Governor Fubara.
These resignations follow closely after the resignation of the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, earlier in the day.
“I hereby resign my appointment as the Commissioner for Works, Rivers State, effective immediately. My decision to resign is anchored on my conscience, personal philosophy, and professional ethics,” Alabo said in the letter addressed to the governor. “This decision was taken after deep introspection. I appreciate Your Excellency for the opportunity to serve my beloved Rivers State as Commissioner for Works.”
On her part, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation cited “personal” reasons for her resignation from the cabinet and wished the current administration well.
“I hereby tender my resignation as the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Rivers State on this day 14th of December 2023,” she wrote. “I thank Your Excellency for the privilege to serve in the State Executive Council. My decision to resign is personal and based on other pressing commitments. I wish Your Excellency a successful tenure and pray for best wishes in all your endeavours.”
The Finance Commissioner, however, did not state why he pulled out of the cabinet.
“I hereby inform you of my immediate resignation as Commissioner of Finance, Rivers State with effect from the date stated above,” he said in his letter. “I thank you for the opportunity granted me to serve our dear State under your administration.”
In his resignation earlier in the day, Adangor said the move was based “purely on personal decision”.
Rivers Political Rift Widens 
The recent surge of resignations in the Rivers cabinet is the latest development in the ongoing political turmoil in the oil-rich state, stemming from the conflict between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara.
There is already a division in the Rivers State House of Assembly as the 32-member lawmaking body now has two groups.
The Rivers State House of Assembly is now divided into two factions, with 27 lawmakers defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amidst the division, Governor Fubara later demolished the Assembly complex, saying the structure which was gutted by fire two months ago was unfit and presented the 2024 budget to the faction led by Edison Ehie at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
A court had barred the Martins Amaewhule-led group who are perceived allies of Wike from using the assembly.
About two months ago, the Amaewhule-led group attempted to impeach Governor Fubara. But the move failed with lawmakers loyal to Fubara impeaching him and declaring Ehie as the new speaker.
The fresh wave of resignations adds a new layer to the impasse, despite earlier attempts by President Bola Tinubu to mediate and seemingly resolve the matter between Wike and Fubara.
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