Rivers House of Assembly has given Siminalayi Fubara, the state Governor, 48 hours to submit a new list of commissioner nominees.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a letter dated March 5, the assembly accused Fubara of illegally swearing in 19 commissioners without screening and confirmation by the legislature, which violates the Nigerian constitution.
The lawmakers added that Fubara made several other appointments into positions that legally require the approval of the assembly before assumption of office.
They also said the Governor failed to forward the nomination of an attorney-general and commissioner for justice to the assembly before appointing and swearing in Dagogo Iboroma to the position.
Other commissioners listed include Charles O.
Beke, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Peter Medee, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, Basoene Joshua Benibo, Tambari Sydney Gbara and Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma.
The rest are Illamu Arugu, Rowland Obed Whyte, Samuel Anya, Samuel Eyiba, Austin Emeka Nnadozie, Israel Ngbuelu, Evans Bipi, Otamiri Ngubo, Benibo Alabraba and Emmanuel Frank-Fubara.m
The letter reads, “That 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 30th of August 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 are Gift Alex-Hart; Grace Osaronu and Selinah Amonieah as members.”
“That the swearing-in of Goodlife Ben as chairman; 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 contrary to Section 44(3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 is another infraction.”
“That these appointments by you that are highlighted and other appointments made but not mentioned here for want of space that are not in consonance with extant laws are not only infractions but are seriously threatening our nascent democracy so, should and shall be remedied.”
“That the House requests you to submit a list of nominees for appointment as commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council as well as list of nominees for appointment to fill vacancies in all the offices mentioned above or those not listed but require screening and confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly within 48 hours.”
“We, therefore, urge you to act fast and do the needful by complying with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and other extant laws in the best interest of the good people of Rivers state.”
