- Retains Eight Commissioners
By Abiola Olawale
In a move signaling the normalization of governance following six months of federal emergency rule, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is set to transmit a fresh list of commissioner nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The anticipated submission comes as the state legislature, reconvened just weeks ago, ramps up efforts to restore full executive functionality and address lingering political tensions.
Sources close to the Government House in Port Harcourt confirmed on Monday that Fubara has finalized the slate of nominees.
The source said the list is expected to include at least 10-15 names across critical sectors like finance, health, education, and infrastructure.
This development follows the Assembly’s resumption of plenary on September 18, 2025, after President Bola Tinubu lifted the state of emergency imposed in March due to escalating political strife between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
During that session, the lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, explicitly urged Fubara to forward the nominees for screening and confirmation, alongside the delayed 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Meanwhile, the source added that Fubara has decided to retain eight commissioners who were unaffected by the recent Supreme Court judgment that recognised Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
According to the source, the retained commissioners include: Dr Adaeze Oreh (Health); Charles Amadi (Chieftaincy Affairs); Christopher Green (Sports); Joe Johnson (Information and Communications); Chisom Gbali (Youth Development); Victor Kii (Agriculture); Dr Roseline Uranta (Women Affairs); and Nwafor Maximus (Energy and Natural Resources).
The source added that a minor reshuffle might be carried out, with some commissioners reassigned to other ministries.
“The governor told them himself that there will be a reshuffle and asked them to prepare,” the source said. “The only person whose portfolio is confirmed for now is the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, who has proven to be one of the best health commissioners so far.
When asked when the new list of commissioner nominees would be sent to the Assembly for screening and confirmation, the source said the process would begin “very soon.”
“That will happen soon because the governor wants to fully constitute his cabinet,” he said. “Don’t forget that the governor has reconciled with the Assembly, and they are expecting his list of nominees.
“As part of the peace deal reached after the meeting between the governor and the Assembly, some loyalists of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, may be accommodated in the new cabinet to ensure inclusiveness and sustain the current peace in the state.”
