By Seyi Odewale
No fewer than five commissioners and some aides bowed out of Sir Siminalayi Fubara’s cabinet as a gale of resignation greeted Rivers State yesterday. The oil-rich state has been going through a political crisis as Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike are battling for the soul of the state.
Those five commissioners, who have resigned included the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, the Commissioner for Works, Dr George-Kelly Alabo, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Chinwenwo-Aguma.
Others were the Special Projects Commissioner, Chief Emeka Woke, and the Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu. Their exodus came on the heels of the political crisis that has been rocking the state for some time.
First to tender his letter was the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Adangor, who disclosed in a letter to the governor and routed through the Secretary to the State that his resignation was based purely on personal principles.
“For the avoidance of doubt, my resignation from the said office is based on personal principles. I wish to thank Your Excellency for the opportunity and privilege granted me to serve in your administration as a member of the cabinet. My family and I are indebted to Your Excellency in gratitude,” the letter read.
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Later in the evening other colleagues of Adangor, such as the Commissioner for Works, Dr George-Kelly Alabo, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Chinwenwo-Aguma, the Special Projects Commissioner, Chief Emeka Woke, and the Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu tendered their letters.
Their resignation came hours after the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Adangor resigned from his position.
The five were some of the cabinet members of the former Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, and were re-appointed by Fubara. They said their resignation took effect immediately.
According to Alabo, his resignation was based on the dictates of his conscience. In his letter titled: ‘Resignation as Honourable Commissioner for Works, Rivers State, he said, “I hereby resign my appointment as the Commissioner for Works, Rivers State, effective immediately.
“My decision to resign is anchored on my conscience, personal philosophy, and professional ethics. This decision was taken after deep introspection. I appreciate Your Excellency for the opportunity to serve my beloved Rivers State as Commissioner for Works.”
On her part, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation cited “personal” reasons for her resignation from the cabinet and wished the current administration well. “I hereby resign as the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Rivers State on this day 14th of December 2023.
“I thank Your Excellency for the privilege to serve in the state Executive Council. My decision to resign is personal and based on other pressing commitments. I wish Your Excellency a successful tenure and pray for best wishes in all your endeavours,” she said in the letter.
Amalu in his letter said, “I hereby inform you of my immediate resignation as Commissioner for Finance, Rivers State with effect from the date stated above. I thank you for the opportunity granted me to serve our dear state under your administration. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
Woke, in his letter said, “I write to formally give you notice of my resignation from office as the Honourable Commissioner for Special Projects in the Rivers State Government with immediate effect from today, December 14.
“My decision to resign at this time is necessitated by a pressing family demand for my time and attention as well as the desire to afford other deserving people the opportunity to serve you and the state in their capacity. “For myself and on behalf of my family, I thank you very much for the opportunity.”
Some aides, who also bowed out of Fubara’s administration included Chima Aguma, and Marshal Obuzor, Dr Jacob Nbina, Charles Amadi, among others.
