Rivers State Governor Appoints Officials Amid House Assembly Override

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced the appointment of four officials following the State House Assembly’s decision to override him and pass four new bills into law.

In a statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, Governor Fubara named Goodlife Ben as the Acting Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Tonte Davies as the Acting Administrator of the New Cities Development Authority (NCDA), and Ine Briggs as the Acting Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The appointments are effective immediately.

Meanwhile, the Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly voted to override Governor Fubara and pass four bills into law.

The bills encompass the Rivers Local Government Amendment Law, the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amendment Law, the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-Owned Property Prohibition repeal law, and the Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law.

The assembly’s decision was based on Section 100 subsection 5 of the constitution, which stipulates that the governor’s assent is not required if the bill is passed again by a two-thirds majority of the House after the governor has withheld assent.

Amaewhule accused the governor of lacking plans to conduct local government elections in the state.

The assembly, comprising 27 members loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike, has been at odds with Governor Fubara, who is supported by four members formerly led by Edison Ehie, now resigned as Speaker and member representing Ahoada East Constituency 2.

The political crisis in the state, which involves a rift between Fubara and Wike, prompted President Bola Tinubu to intervene.

This led to the signing of an eight-point resolution (peace accord) by the concerned parties to resolve the crisis, following the Supreme Court’s validation of Governor Fubara’s election.