The Rivers State House of Assembly has dropped four of the nine commissioner-nominees submitted to it by Governor Siminalayi Fubara for screening and confirmation, while clearing five others to serve in the State Executive Council.
The House conducted the screening exercise on Monday in a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, which lasted over two hours. The nominees faced rigorous questioning and scrutiny from lawmakers before decisions were taken.
Following the screening, motions were moved and seconded by members either supporting or opposing the nominees, leading to the final resolution.
Amaewhule announced that the four rejected nominees were dropped based on their poor performance during screening and controversies surrounding their nominations, including issues with their documents.
“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. And four of them the House has chosen to take a deep breath given their poor performance and controversies surrounding either their documents and they have not been able to show this august assembly that they are indeed prepared to serve Rivers State or that they are able,” the Speaker said.
He added, “And we feel that they are not square pegs in square holes for the offices that they intend to occupy in the Rivers State Executive Council. On that note, distinguished colleagues, I thank you for your contributions. With your leave and in line with our rules, I will forward the resolution of this august assembly to the governor so that he can take necessary steps for the interest of Rivers State.”
After putting the question to the House to write a letter to the governor, the Speaker said, “On that note, I’m going to forward a letter to the governor and ask him to swear in five of the nominees as soon as possible.”
Those whose nominations were rejected include Prof. Datonye Alasia, Barr. Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree, and Charity Deemua.
The commissioner-nominees cleared by the lawmakers are Tonye Belgam, Prof. Temple Nwafor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amarigha Edward-Hart.
The House then adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
