Dons Eze
TENSION IN RIVERS AS THREE COMMISSIONERS RESIGN FROM GOVERNOR FUBARA’s CABINET
An Uneasy calm currently pervades in Rivers State as three commissioners believed to be loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, have resigned from the cabinet of the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
These were the Commissioners for Education, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom; Housing, Gift Worlu: and Environment, Ben-Chioma.
In his letter to Governor Fubara through the Secretary to State Government, Professor Mmom referenced a “toxic” working environment, as his reason for resignation, stating that such an environment would make it impossible to achieve “my set targets for the Education sector in the State.”
The former Commissioner, however, thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve in his administration and wished him well.
The letter read, “It is a truism that a calm, safe and friendly environment would stimulate efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity.
“It is however unfortunate to note that my current work space has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me realize my set targets for the Education sector in the State.
“There is loss of trust, animosity and sharp division among colleagues in the same cabinet which is unhealthy and very unfortunate.
On his part, the former Commissioner for Housing, Gift Worlu, wrote, “I write to formally resign my appointment as the Honourable Commissioner of Housing.
“One of the most difficult decision in my life yet, is precipitated by the toxic atmosphere that has characterised our working relationship, especially the smouldering arbitrariness of decisions and actions, induding the attempt to fuse the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State.
“I thank you for the opportunity to serve in your government and wish you the best as you continue to steer the ship of state.”
Ben-Chioma, the Commissioner for environment, said he decided to resign because of the verbal attactks between the camps of Governor Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Peoplesvoice recalls that Ben-Chioma was one of the commissioners who resigned in December 2023 when the cracks in the relationship between Wike and Fubara were made public.
In the same vein, Professor Mmom, former Commissioner for Education, was among the Commissioners that resigned from the Fubara cabinet last year during the heat of the political crisis in the state, before the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
He returned to the Fubara administration as Commissioner for Education, but has publicly shown that his loyalty lies with the former Governor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Following an intervention between President Bola Tinubu, both camps returned and signed a peace accord.But, in recent weeks, the fireworks between both camps seem to have resumed after Governor Fubara redeployed two of the commissioners, both of whom have since resigned, before the latest resignations.
