By Abiola Olawale
The political landscape in Rivers State witnessed another significant shift on Monday, March 9, 2026, as the State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, concluded the screening of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s latest commissioner-nominees.
The New Diplomat reports that the House cleared only five out of the nine nominees presented, rejecting four others citing “poor performance” and “documentary controversies.”
After a rigorous exercise lasting over two hours at the Assembly Quarters, the following five nominees were confirmed as commissioners-designate, Prof. Datonye Alasia, Mr. Tonye Bellgam, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mrs. Charity Deemua, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
These individuals are now expected to be sworn in to form the core of Fubara’s reconstituted State Executive Council.
During Monday’s plenary, Amaewhule said the nominees rejected were based on their poor performance during their screening and issues including petitions surrounding their nominations.
He stated: “Distinguished colleagues, we have nine nominees forwarded to this Assembly by the governor. At the end of the screening exercise the House has confirmed five of them.
“And four of them the House has chosen to take a deep breath given their poor performance and controversies surrounding either their documents and they have not been able to show this august assembly that they are indeed prepared to serve Rivers State or that they are able.
“And we feel that they are not square pegs in square holes for the offices that they intend to occupy in the Rivers State Executive Council.
“On that note, distinguished colleagues, I thank you for your contributions. With your leave and in line with our rules, I will forward the resolution of this august assembly to the governor so that he can take necessary steps for the interest of Rivers State.”
After putting the question to the House to write a letter to the governor, the Speaker added, “On that note, I’m going to forward a letter to the governor and ask him to swear in five of the nominees as soon as possible.”
Those whose nominations were rejected include Prof. Datonye Alasia, Barr. Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree, and Charity Deemua.
The House then adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
This screening comes on the heels of the recent dissolution of the state cabinet by Fubara in February 2026, a move seen as part of the “peace pact” brokered by President Bola Tinubu.
