Tension In Rivers! Stateman Blasts Assembly For Issuing Directives To Governor Fubara

Elder statesman and Convener of the Rivers State Leaders of Thought, Sunny Chukwumele, has criticized the Rivers State House of Assembly for directing Governor Sim Fubara to present the state budget and submit a list of commissioner nominees immediately after his reinstatement, without allowing him time to settle into office.

Governor Fubara had been suspended from office on March 18, 2025, by President Bola Tinubu following a worsening political crisis tied to his power tussle with predecessor and political godfather, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The suspension was accompanied by a state of emergency that also affected Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and the entire House of Assembly, effectively crippling governance in the state.

Upon their return to legislative business, the Assembly ordered Fubara to submit the budget and commissioner list.

Reacting, Chukwumele told The Punch that such a move was premature.

“He has just resumed and should be given time to settle, rather than being handed directives in this manner. They should have visited him first, instead of dishing out orders at plenary. That was a wrong step,” he said.

The elder statesman commended Fubara’s decision to dissolve the State Pensions Board, urging him to also disband the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

“We expect more bold steps from him, including dissolving the electoral commission,” he added.

Meanwhile, a close aide to Governor Fubara, who spoke anonymously, suggested that most of the current commissioners may not return.

“I doubt if many of them will be reappointed. A lot of restructuring is happening behind the scenes right now. That’s all I can say for now,” the aide noted.