The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved five out of nine commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while rejecting four others after a screening exercise held on Monday.
Those confirmed by the lawmakers are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
However, the Assembly declined the nominations of Prof. Datonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye T.K.D. Amachree.
During plenary, the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, explained that the four nominees were turned down due to unsatisfactory performance during the screening and concerns raised in petitions and documentation related to their nominations.
Amaewhule noted that the Assembly thoroughly evaluated the candidates and concluded that the rejected nominees did not convincingly demonstrate their readiness or suitability to serve in the state’s Executive Council.
He added that the House would formally communicate its resolution to the governor, recommending that the five approved nominees be sworn in promptly to enable them begin work in the interest of the state.
Following the announcement, the Assembly resolved to send an official letter to the governor conveying its decision. The House later adjourned plenary until March 17, 2026.
The screening exercise came after Governor Fubara forwarded the nominees to the Assembly for confirmation as members of his cabinet. Before the screening, the nominees were instructed to submit 40 copies of their curriculum vitae, photocopies of their credentials, and evidence of tax compliance, according to a notice signed by the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi.
The development follows the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State after the lifting of a six-month state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 17, 2025, as well as a new peace agreement reached in Abuja between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Earlier, Fubara had dissolved his previous cabinet, removing several key officials including Chief of Staff Edison Ehie and Secretary to the State Government Benibo Anabraba, before appointing new aides and forwarding fresh commissioner nominees to the Assembly for screening.