3 More Commissioners Resign As Crisis Deepens in Rivers State

The political crisis rocking Rivers state continue to deepens as three more commissioners resigned from Governor Sim Fubara’s cabinet on Thursday. 

The Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly Alabo – who served in the same capacity under Nyesom Wike’s government – and the Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner, Inime Aguma and their Finance counterpart Isaac Kamalu all resigned Thursday.

Their resignations came hours after the state’s  Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor resigned his from office.

“I hereby resign my appointment as the Commissioner for Works, Rivers State, effective immediately. My decision to resign is anchored on my conscience, personal philosophy, and professional ethics,” Alabo said in the letter addressed to the governor. “This decision was taken after deep introspection. I appreciate Your Excellency for the opportunity to serve my beloved Rivers State as Commissioner for Works.” Alabo’s resignation letter read in part.

On her part, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation cited “personal” reasons for her resignation from the cabinet and wished the current administration well.

“I hereby tender my resignation as the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Rivers State on this day 14th of December 2023,” she wrote. “I thank Your Excellency for the privilege to serve in the State Executive Council. My decision to resign is personal and based on other pressing commitments. I wish Your Excellency a successful tenure and pray for best wishes in all your endeavours.”

The Finance Commissioner, however, did not state why he pulled out of the cabinet.

“I hereby inform you of my immediate resignation as Commissioner of Finance, Rivers State with effect from the date stated above,” he said in his letter. “I thank you for the opportunity granted me to serve our dear State under your administration.”

In his resignation earlier in the day, Adangor said the move was based “purely on personal decision”.

Sources close to the state government told REPORT AFRIQUE that these resignations are connected to the recent political feud between the incumbent governor, Siminalaye Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.