Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed all commissioners and other public office holders in his administration.
The announcement, made in Port Harcourt on Wednesday evening by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, takes immediate effect and follows the recent Supreme Court judgment.
During a valedictory session with his cabinet to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary at Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara expressed appreciation to the outgoing officials for their contributions to the state’s progress over the past two years.
The statement read in part, “Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years.
“The governor highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Independence, and called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all.
“Furthermore, the Governor has relieved all Commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgment of their appointments with immediate effect.”
Fubara assured that he would continue to serve the state “with renewed vigour,” while thanking Rivers people for their support and wishing Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.
The move comes after Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who governed during the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu, had earlier suspended all commissioners, advisers, assistants, and dissolved state boards. Since Ibas’s exit on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had been uncertain.
At its first sitting after the lifting of the emergency rule, the Rivers State House of Assembly urged the governor to submit a new list of commissioner-nominees along with the 2025 budget for approval.
