Rivers crisis: 5 pro-Wike commissioners quit Fubara’s cabinet

Five Rivers State commissioners that are loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, yesterday resigned their respective positions from the state cabinet as rifts festered between their leader and the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

The commissioners include: Prof. Chinedu Mmom, Commissioner for Education; Ben-Golden Chioma, Commissioner for Environment; Gift Worlu, Commissioner for Housing; Jacobs Nbina, Commissioner for Transportation; and Mrs. Inime Chinwenwo Aguma, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation.

The quintet rejoined the cabinet after President Bola Tinubu brokered a peace deal that eventually collapsed. The development comes weeks after two pro-Wike commissioners also tendered their resignations. They are Professor Zacchaeus Adangor, who resigned as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Isaac Kamalu, former Finance Commissioner. The duo tendered their resignations after Fubara redeployed them to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office) and the Ministry for Employment Generation and Empowerment, respectively.

In separate letters addressed to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, the five commissioners said their resignation is with immediate effect.

“It is a truism that a calm and friendly environment would stimulate efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity. It is, however, unfortunate to note that my current workspace has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me to realize my set targets for the education sector in the state.

“There is a loss of trust, animosity, and sharp division among colleagues in the same cabinet, which is unhealthy and very unfortunate,” one of the letters read in part.