Dare Babalola
The Rivers State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed five out of the nine commissioner nominees of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The House in a televised plenary rejected four others over what the lawmakers described as their poor performance and controversies surrounding them.
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, presiding over Monday’s plenary, made this disclosure in his summation following motions moved and seconded by colleagues who either opposed or supported the nominations before the House.
Amaewhule cited poor performance during screening and issues, including petitions surrounding their nominations, as reasons for rejecting the nominees.
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, while the commissioner-nominees given a clean bill of health by the lawmakers are Tonye Belgam, Prof. Temple Nwafor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth and Amarigha Edward-Hart.
The House then adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
