Barely 24 hours after dissolving his cabinet and dismissing all Special Advisers, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reportedly forwarded a fresh list of commissioner-nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and approval.
The list was submitted to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, signaling the beginning of a cabinet rebuilding process amid ongoing political reconciliation efforts in the state.
A government aide disclosed that some of the nominees may be drawn from the camp of former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as part of moves to consolidate peace. The aide added that commissioners who distinguished themselves in the previous cabinet could also be reappointed.
According to the source, the reshuffle aligns with the broader reconciliation deal brokered in Abuja by President Bola Tinubu. In line with that understanding, a new Chief of Staff may be appointed, while Governor Fubara’s former Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, is expected to remain away from Government House, Port Harcourt.
The aide further revealed that the newly reconstructed House of Assembly Complex will soon be commissioned, paving the way for lawmakers to return to the permanent facility for plenary sessions.
Reacting to the development, former National Assembly member and ex-Commissioner for Information, Ogbonna Nwuke, described the cabinet shakeup as a necessary step toward restoring peace in the state. He emphasized that competent sons and daughters of Rivers State would be nominated to serve in the new cabinet.
Although the House of Assembly has yet to publicly confirm receipt of the list, lawmakers are expected to invite the nominees for screening in the coming days as the process of rebuilding the Rivers State Executive Council gathers momentum.
