Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has relieved commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgement of their appointments.
Fubara announced the decision in Port Harcourt on Wednesday during a valedictory session with his cabinet, held as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary.
The governor said independence remains a milestone in Nigeria’s history and urged citizens to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Furthermore, the governor has relieved all commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgement of their appointments with immediate effect,” Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara’s spokesperson, said in a statement.
Fubara then thanked members of his cabinet for their services and pledged to continue leading the state “with renewed vigour.”
In February, the Supreme Court recognised the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly as the authentic legislature. The rival Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction — loyal to Fubara — was not recognised, nullifying its approvals of commissioner nominees and other appointments.
The Amaewhule faction is allied with Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Fubara’s estranged political benefactor.
The tussle between both camps had triggered a six-month state of emergency declared by President Tinubu in March. The measure was lifted on September 17, with Tinubu directing Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the assembly to resume duties.
After his return, Fubara said he had reconciled with Wike and called on Rivers residents to embrace peace, stressing that “the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war.”
