A combined photo Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and Speaker Martin Amaewhule
By Richard Otega Enyeh
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to submit a new list of commissioner nominees for screening and confirmation.
The ultimatum follows the assembly’s accusation that Fubara unlawfully swore in 19 commissioners without their approval, allegedly violating the Constitution.
In a letter dated March 5, the Assembly accused Fubara of unlawfully swearing in 19 commissioners without legislative screening and confirmation.
It also alleged that other appointments were made without due process.
The Assembly described the action as a violation of the Constitution.
Part of the statement issued by the Assembly reads: “Another infraction of the law is the swearing-in of Lawrence Oko-Jaja as Chairman; Earnest Ibekwe Ekwe; Mina Ogbanga; Iseleye Amachree; and Adokiye Oyagiri as members of the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement on Friday, August 30, 2024, without screening and confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly, as stipulated in Section 4(a) of the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008. Others include Gift Alex-Hart, Grace Osaronu, and Selinah Amonieah as members.
“Similarly, the swearing-in of Goodlife Ben as Chairman, along with Emmanuel Jaja, Betty Warmate, Jerome Chimenem, Prince Ohochukwu, Philip Okparaji, and Christian Amadi as members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, without screening and confirmation, is a violation of Section 44(3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.
“These appointments, along with others not mentioned here due to space constraints, but which are also not in compliance with extant laws, are not only infractions but also pose a serious threat to our nascent democracy. They must be addressed accordingly.
“The House, therefore, requests you to submit a list of nominees for appointment as commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council, as well as nominees to fill vacancies in all the offices mentioned above, or any other positions requiring legislative screening and confirmation, within 48 hours.”
The lawmakers urged Fubara to comply with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and other laws governing the state.
The Assembly urged the governor to submit the 2025 budget for approval.
