Tag: Rivers Assembly

The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected four commissioner nominees sent forward by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The nominees underwent screening on Monday at the State Assembly in Port Harcourt. Those confirmed for appointment include Mr. Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart. The four nominees who were not approved are Professor Datonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye TKD Amachree. The Assembly cited “poor performance” as the reason for Professor Alasia’s rejection. Alasia is the former Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Amachree was turned down following more than 11 petitions from members of his community regarding his involvement in local matters. Mrs. Deemua failed to present her tax clearance documents, while Williams was denied confirmation over allegations of misleading the public about the Assembly’s activities.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has paused the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, following earlier intervention by President Bola Tinubu. The decision was made Thursday during a plenary session at the Assembly’s resumed sitting in Port Harcourt. Earlier this year, the House had launched impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Odu over alleged gross misconduct. During the first 2026 session, Majority Leader Major Jack read out a notice listing accusations against the governor and his deputy, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, unauthorized spending, withholding funds intended for the Assembly Service Commission, and ignoring a Supreme Court ruling on legislative financial autonomy. The allegations were issued under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). On January 16, 2026, the Assembly requested the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to set up a seven-member panel to investigate the claims. Justice Amadi, however, declined, citing a standing High Court order that prevented him from taking further action. Fubara and Odu had obtained separate injunctions from the High Court in Port Harcourt to stop the Chief Judge from constituting the panel, and the Chief Judge noted that the Speaker and the Assembly had appealed the restraining order.