Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed all commissioners and other public office holders in his administration, with immediate effect.
The decision was announced on Wednesday evening in Port Harcourt through a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, and comes on the heels of the recent Supreme Court judgment.
During a valedictory session with his cabinet, held in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary at Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor expressed gratitude to the outgoing officials for their contributions to the state’s growth over the past two years.
The statement partly read:
“His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, extends appreciation to members of his cabinet for their dedication and service to the development of Rivers State in the last two years. The governor also emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s Independence, urging citizens to unite with the President in building a peaceful, secure, and prosperous nation.”
It further confirmed that all commissioners and public officers affected by the judgment have been relieved of their appointments effective immediately.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his determination to serve Rivers people “with renewed vigour,” thanking them for their support and wishing Nigerians a happy Independence Day.
It will be recalled that the immediate past state administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), had earlier suspended Fubara’s appointees during the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu. He also dissolved boards and suspended parastatal heads at the time.
Since Ibas left office on September 18, the status of Fubara’s cabinet had remained unclear. The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after the end of the emergency rule, urged the governor to submit a new list of commissioner-nominees alongside the 2025 budget for consideration and approval.
