Thursday, October 2, 2025 - Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has sacked all commissioners and other public officers “affected by the Supreme Court judgement” that nullified some of the governor’s decisions.
Nelson
Chukwudi, Governor Fubara’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday that
the governor made the decision during a valedictory session he held with his
cabinet in Port Harcourt.
The
session, held at Government House, Port Harcourt, coincided with Nigeria’s 65th
Independence Anniversary.
According
to the statement, Mr Fubara thanked members of his cabinet for their services
and contributions to the state’s development in the last two years.
Mr Fubara
highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s independence. He called on all
Nigerians to work together with President Bola Tinubu to build a peaceful,
secure, and prosperous country and a brighter future for all.
He
reiterated his commitment to serve Rivers State with “renewed vigour” while
thanking all citizens for their support and wishing all Nigerians a happy
Independence anniversary.
The Supreme
Court, in its judgment in February this year, affirmed the Rivers House of
Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, as the authentic and legally constituted
lawmaking body in the state.
By the
judgement, the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Rivers assembly, which was
loyal to Governor Fubara, was not recognised by law, which therefore rendered
all their decisions, including the screening and approval of Mr Fubara’s
cabinet members, invalid.
The Supreme
Court judgement was a fallout of the prolonged
political battle between Mr Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the FCT
minister, since 2023, over the control of political structure in the state.
The
Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers assembly has been loyal to the FCT
minister.
On 18
March, President Tinubu declared an emergency rule in the South-South state in the
wake of the political crisis caused by the rift between Mr Fubara and Mr Wike.
The
president suspended Mr Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the state legislators
for six months.
Many Nigerians and groups, including the NBA and PDP
Governors Forum, had separately criticized Mr Tinubu for suspending the elected
governor and lawmakers, which they said violated the Nigerian Constitution.
Mr Tinubu lifted the emergency rule hours before
the six months elapsed and asked the governor and other elected officials to
resume duties.
Mr Fubara
consequently returned to Rivers State on 19 September after the emergency rule.
The Rivers
assembly, upon resumption on 18 September, called on Governor
Fubara to forward the list of commissioner-nominees to it immediately for
screening and confirmation.
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