…three more commissioners pull out
…politics watchers say Wike pulling rug under governor
Three more commissioners on Thursday resigned from Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s cabinet in a rift which politics watchers say further marks the determination of Nysome Wike, erstwhile governor of the state to pull the rug from under Fubura’s feet, in a political godfather/godson deal gone sour.
The latest resignations include those of George-Kelly Alabo, the Commissioner for Works who also served in the same title in Wike’s administration and Inime Aguma the Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner, as well as Finance Commisioner, Isaac Kamalu.
Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, the state’s Attorney-General, had tendered his resignation letter hours earlier.
“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 wrote 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,” he added.
Inime Aguma, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, cited “personal” reasons for her resignation.
“I hereby tender my resignation as the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Rivers State on this day 14th of December 2023,” Aguma 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 endeavors.”
Finance Commisioner, Isaac Kamalu, gave no reason for his resignation.
“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.”
The political rift in Rivers State had again escalated on Monday after a testy respite, with 27 out of the 32 members of the State House of Assembly defecting from the ruling People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
Politics watchers say this points to a failure of the fence mending efforts by President Bola Tinubu in the rift between Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT).
A falling out between Wike and Fubara, who are recognised in political circles as godfather and godson, had culminated in divisions in the state, which reportedly ignited an attempt by the State Assembly to impeach the governor, with the House of Assembly complex being bombed in the process.
Wike claimed that Fubara prompted the burning of the complex, on learning of an impeachment plan against him.
Matters further escalated when Fubara visited the complex, accompanied by some aides, to assess the damage and was reportedly tear gassed by police.
Following this, the state lawmakers split into two factions, one loyal to Wike and the other to Fubara.
Throwing light on the matter, Chetam Thierry Nwala, a lawyer, had alleged in an interview on a television station, that the political unrest in Rivers State followed demands by Wike.
Nwala alleged that the refusal of Governor Fubara to remit 25 per cent of the State’s allocation to Wike, his immediate predecessor and political godfather and sponsor, had led to a falling out between both men.
According to him, the FCT Minister appointed most of the governor’s aides, including commissioners and the Chief Security Officer.
“Wike demanded 25% of Rivers State allocations. From what we heard, the governor even offered to give him 10%. This is what is happening in our State.
“Not just that, we had a situation where Wike appointed almost all the commissioners and appointed a chief security officer for the governor. “These are personal things that should be of concern to the governor. These are things that should make him revolt.
“We have seen a situation where even the commissioners appointed by Wike disrespect the governor. Naturally, everybody will revolt,” Nwala said.
For his part, Wike said his misunderstanding with Governor Fubara was purely political.
He added that the political crisis in Rivers State was a Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), affair and that the party was looking into it.
Earlier in the face-off, Fubara had said there was nothing wrong with a “father and a son” having problems, confirming the godfather/godson relationship between himself and Wike, who reportedly helped install him as governor.
