Rivers’ Retired Perm Secs Refuse To Vacate Office Despite Fubara’s Order

There are indications that some permanent secretaries in the Rivers State Civil Service, who have attained the age of retirement have refused to vacate their offices despite  directives from Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Also, despite a memo from the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC) to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), investigation revealed that some of the permanent secretaries have refused to leave office.

In February 2026, Fubara had while swearing-in Mr Dagogo Wokoma as the new secretary to the state government (SSG) and Mr Sunny Ewule as chief of staff to the Governor, directed all permanent secretaries who had officially retired but were still serving to immediately prepare their handover notes.

In a memo dated April 27, 2026 and signed by RSCSC chairman, Dr Livinus Barikor, the retired permanent secretaries were asked to comply with the directives of the governor.

Some of those copied in the memo are the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service and the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) as well as the Registrar of the Rivers State Judiciary.

The memo, which was titled: “Enforcement of Retirement Rules and Handover Procedures” reads in part: “It has come to the attention of the Rivers State Civil Commission that some permanent secretaries and other categories of civil servants who have attained the mandatory retirement age or completed the required years of service are yet to comply fully with existing retirement regulations.

“In line with the public service rules, all civil servants who are officially retired and are not on approved contract appointments are hereby directed to handover all official responsibilities, documents and government property  in their custody to the most senior director in their department or unit immediately.

“Also, they should proceed on retirement without delay after completing the handover process.”