The Rivers State political crisis deepened further on Thursday as six commissioners loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike resigned from the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This was as the two factions of the split state House of Assembly held separate sittings 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.
Of the six commissioners, five served under Wike’s administration in the same capacity, while Woke was Wike’s Chief of Staff for eight years.
All the five commissioners confirmed their resignation to The PUNCH on the telephone.
The Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly, said he resigned because “my conscience will not allow me to stay.”
The social welfare commissioner, Mrs Aguma, said, “I have other commitments.”
“I want to assure you that this administration has the best interest of our people. It is an administration that wants everyone to have hope.
“We have keyed into the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President Bola Tinubu to continue to assure our people of hope. The best of us will be seen by everyone.
“We will continue to protect the interest of our people, do the best for everyone, not minding your position or class.
“Our government is a responsive and inclusive government. Our eyes and ears are open to the needs of our people. We will not disappoint you,” Fubara said.
In his speech, the factional Speaker, Ehie assured Fubara of the continued support of the lawmakers to ensure the success for the administration.
Meanwhile, the pro-Wike faction, during their sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, “resolved to adopt and convert the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters to its hallowed chamber.”
According to a statement they issued on Thursday, the lawmakers condemned “in unequivocal terms” what they described as “heartless and brazen demolition of the House of Assembly complex by Governor Siminialayi Fubara, without the approval and knowledge of the House.”
The House, in a motion sponsored by 26 members and moved by Ofiks Kabang, representing Andoni Constituency, drew the attention of the Federal Government, the Inspector-General of Police and the international community, to the constant attack by Fubara on the Rivers State legislature.
Also, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Caretaker Commitee in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, said the demolition of the House of Assembly by Fubara would not stop pro-Wike lawmakers from sitting.
Okocha confirmed that the lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the APC on Tuesday, met on Thursday.
He said, “The House of Assembly can be moved to anywhere. It is not necessarily tied down to a building. Provided the mace is present there, members can sit anywhere. As of this morning, the 27 lawmakers met and even signed some resolutions.”
Meanwhile, the pro-Fubara Speaker, on Thursday wrote the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, informing the electoral body of the 25 vacancies in the Assembly following the defection of the pro-Wike lawmakers.
Also, some constituents from the four local government areas of Ogoni land in Ribers State said they had commenced a process to recall the four lawmakers representing the areas in the state Assembly.
They named the four lawmakers as those who joined their colleagues to sign the impeachment notice on Fubara.
