UPDATED: 5 Reappointed Pro-Wike Commissioners Quit Fubara’s Cabinet

Five loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, who were reappointed into the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State, have resigned their appointments.

They are the Commissioner for Education, Professor Chinedu Mmon; Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Inime Aguma; Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Jacobson Nbina; Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Gift Worlu, and Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Austin Ben-Chioma.

LEADERSHIP observed that the mass resignations of the five Commissioners, which came less than two weeks after another two loyalists of the FCT minister, Professor Zacchaeus Adangor and Hon. Isaac Kamalu, resigned their appointments from the State Executive Council (SEC) following their redeployment, was not unconnected to the ongoing face-off between Wike and Fubara.

Both Adangor and Kamalu resigned after Fubara directed that they should be redeployed from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance, respectively, to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office) and Ministry for Employment Generation and Empowerment, respectively.

In a letter dated May 25, 2024 and addressed to the governor, through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the former Commissioner for Education said he was resigning because his current work space had become toxic.

The letter reads in part: “I write to formally tender my resignation as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council as the Honourable Commissioner for Education with effect from today, 15th day of May, 2024.

“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 work space has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me realize my set targets for the education sector in the state.

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