Isaac Samuel
The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday rejected four of the nine commissioner-nominees forwarded by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing poor performance during screening and controversies surrounding their documents.
Those rejected by the lawmakers include Prof. Datonye Alasia, Barr. Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree and Charity Deemua.
However, the Assembly confirmed five other nominees — Tonye Belgam, Prof. Temple Nwafor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth and Amarigha Edward-Hart as commissioners-designate after a screening exercise that lasted over two hours.
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who presided over plenary, said the decision followed deliberations by lawmakers after the screening.
According to him, the House declined to confirm the four nominees due to unsatisfactory performance during the exercise and petitions surrounding their nominations.
Amaewhule said the lawmakers concluded that the affected nominees failed to convince the Assembly of their readiness and suitability for positions in the Rivers State Executive Council.
“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,” he said.
“And four of them, the House has chosen to take a deep breath given their poor performance and controversies surrounding either their documents. They have not been able to show this Assembly that they are indeed prepared to serve Rivers State or that they are able.”
He added that the Assembly would communicate its resolution to the governor for necessary action.
The Speaker further directed that the governor be informed to swear in the confirmed nominees as soon as possible.
Following the announcement, the House adjourned plenary to March 17, 2026.
