JUST IN: Fubara Sacks All Commissioners, Appointees Affected by Supreme Court Judgement

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed all commissioners and political appointees whose appointments were invalidated by the recent Supreme Court judgement on the state’s political crisis.

The governor announced the decision on Wednesday during a special valedictory session with his cabinet at the Government House, Port Harcourt, held as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara confirmed that the affected officials—whose appointments were screened and confirmed by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the House of Assembly—have been relieved of their positions.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that the Oko-Jumbo three-man Assembly was unconstitutional, and affirmed the 27-member Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule as the state’s legitimate legislative body. Consequently, all legislative approvals made in favour of the governor during the crisis—including budget passages, screenings, and confirmations of appointees—were nullified.

Among those affected is Rivers Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Iboroma Dagogo, SAN, alongside commissioners Charles O. Beke, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Peter Medee, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, Basoene Joshua Benibo, Tambari Sydney Gbara, Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma, and several others.

Fubara, while thanking his cabinet members for their contributions over the past two years, urged stakeholders to cooperate with President Bola Tinubu in building “a peaceful, secure, and prosperous country.”

He also assured Rivers people of his renewed commitment to serve and hinted that some of the sacked commissioners could be reconsidered for reappointment in a fresh list of nominees to be sent to the Assembly.

“Let us join hands with Mr President to build a brighter future for all Nigerians,” the governor said, while wishing citizens a happy Independence anniversary.