News

Rivers: Fubara Govt Addresses Departure Of Commissioners From Cabinet

Published

8 months ago

Apr 25, 2024.

Fubara Govt Addresses Departure Of Commissioners From Cabinet
Resignation letters highlight issues of integrity, lack of consultation, and ongoing political conflict within the state government.
The rejection of redeployment and resignation come amidst efforts for peace, highlighting challenges in governance and service delivery.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that four commissioners serving under Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration in Rivers State have tendered their resignations from the State Executive Council.

This online media platform understands that the resignations include those of George Kelly, the Commissioner for Works, Henry Ogiri, the Commissioner of Power, Prof. Zacchaeus Adango, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice for Rivers State, and Isaac Kamalu, the Commissioner for Finance.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Kelly and Ogiri resigned following their appointments by the federal government, while Kamalu and Adango resigned due to their redeployment to other ministries.

In a circular signed by the Secretary to the state government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the state governor approved the redeployment of Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office) and the reposting of Barr. Isaac Kamalu to the Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment.

However, the two redeployed commissioners rejected their transfers, citing the ongoing quest for peace in the state.

Zacchaeus Adango, who rejected his redeployment, emphasized that his decision was based on maintaining his integrity. He had previously resigned during the political conflict between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, only to be reinstated following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

It is understood that Adango’s continued loyalty to the FCT Minister has strained his relationship with the governor.

In his resignation letter titled ‘Cabinet Reshufflement: Notice of Rejection of Deployment and Resignation from the Rivers State Executive Council’, Adango expressed dissatisfaction with not being consulted before his deployment.

It read, “My attention has been drawn to your letter dated 23rd April, 2024 and widely circulated on social media whereby I was “deployed to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office).

“Further to the referenced letter, I hereby give you notice of my rejection of the said deployment and resignation from the Rivers State Executive Council with effect from 24th day of April, 2024.

“I wish to state for the record, that I am no longer willing to continue to serve in the administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, in any capacity whatsoever.

Departure Of Commissioners

“It is important to mention that the Governor of Rivers State had in the past couple of weeks willfully interfered with the performance of my duties as the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State by directing me not to defend, oppose, or appear in suits instituted against the Honourable Attorney-General and the Government of Rivers State by persons admittedly hired and sponsored by the Government of Rivers State.

“That having served the Government and good people of Rivers State dutifully as member of the Rivers State Executive Council for the past five (5) years, it has become imperative for me to quit the administration in order to preserve my reputation.”

Also, Kamalu tendered his resignation from the cabinet, noting that the peace instituted by President Ahmed Tinubu is not yet in sight.

He faulted the governor’s position on the improvement of the revenue of the state from N12 billion to N27 billion, adding that the claim was erroneous.

He wrote, “Your Excellency would recall that I served under the Administration of His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS (now Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja) originally as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning (2015-2019) and subsequently as Commissioner for Finance-with oversight responsibility for the Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (2019 – 2023).

“The mandates of the respective Ministries were to the best of our abilities (as Ministries) duly carried out and at all times material relevant reforms were embarked upon for improved performance and effective and sustainable service delivery.

“Among several others, we successfully carried out the following: Initiating and (supporting existing) policy frameworks for enhanced internal revenue generation. This with (necessary adjustments made on some of the programs) led to the Increase in the Internal revenue receipts. This steady rise has been on for some years now culminating in what the state is presently generating though not the figures erroneously claimed in the Media.

“You will respectfully recall that when the climate of discord became unbearable I and other like-minded Members of the Executive Council that were appointed by you resigned. You thereafter engaged His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as Father of the Nation to intervene in the matter.

“In deference to the directive of Mr. President I and the others were recalled and we all accepted and joined the Cabinet again. I expected Sir that with the opportunity provided by Mr. President every effort will be made to sustain peace.

“Regrettably, Your Excellency, the peace in Government and governance that we all – citizens and residents-of the State desire has remained out of reach despite our consistent efforts and demand for same. This has affected our ability to protect and defend the gains that we made these past years.