Three more commissioners have resigned from the cabinet of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state.
Gift Worlu, commissioner for housing, Jacobson Nbina, commissioner for transport, and Austin Ben-Chioma (pictured), commissioner for environment, tendered their resignations on Friday.
In his resignation letter, Worlu said his decision was hinged on “personal reasons that require immediate attention”.
“I am writing this letter to tender my resignation from the post of Hon. Commissioner for Housing in Rivers State. I am resigning because of personal reasons that require immediate attention,” the letter reads.
Nbina and Ben-Chioma also cited “personal reasons” while quitting the cabinet.
The development means that nine commissioners have resigned from Fubara’s cabinet within 48 hours, amid the political crisis in the state.
BELOW ARE THE COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE RESIGNED
Zacchaeus Adangor — Commissioner of justice and attorney-general
George-Kelly Alabo — Commissioner for works
Inime Aguma — Commissioner for social welfare and rehabilitation
Emeka Woke — Commissioner for special duties
Chinedu Mmom — Commissioner for education
Isaac Kamalu — Commissioner for finance
Gift Worlu — Commissioner for housing
Jacobson Nbina — Commissioner for transport
Austin Ben-Chioma — Commissioner for environment
BACKGROUND
Fubara and Nyesom Wike, former Rivers governor and current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), are at loggerheads over control of the political structure of the state.
The feud between the duo snowballed to the Rivers assembly — a development that has led to the polarisation of the state legislature.
The faction loyal to the state governor has five members and is led by Edison Ehie, while the one led by Martin Amaewhule, has 26 members.
On Wednesday, Fubara presented the 2024 budget to the Ehie-led faction of the assembly.
Ehie had earlier declared the seats of 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), vacant.
Just before the budget presentation by the governor, the state government commenced the demolition of the assembly complex, stating that there were cracks on the walls of the building from the October fire incident.
