In a continuation of the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, two more commissioners have resigned from Governor Siminalayi Fubara's cabinet. According to a report by Channels TV, Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly Alabo, and his counterpart in Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Inime Aguma, submitted their resignation letters to Governor Fubara, adding to the growing turmoil in the oil-rich state.
These resignations closely follow the disclosure of the resignation letter of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Zacchaeus Adangor, which surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) earlier in the day. Adangor's letter, dated November 14, was publicly acknowledged only recently, further intensifying the sense of political upheaval.
The resignations are seen as linked to the power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The political crisis has taken a toll on the state legislature, with 27 lawmakers defecting from the PDP to the APC, resulting in their seats being declared vacant by a factional speaker loyal to the governor. The House of Assembly, with only four members remaining, is divided between Fubara and Wike supporters.
On a day marked by political tension, Governor Fubara presented the state's 2024 budget proposal to the four-member House of Assembly while the state government simultaneously demolished the House of Assembly Complex. The demolition, attributed to compromised integrity following an October explosion, has raised suspicions of attempts to prevent the 27 lawmakers from holding plenary.
In his resignation letter, Commissioner George-Kelly Alabo cited personal philosophy, professional ethics, and conscience as the basis for his decision. All three commissioners who resigned previously served in Wike's cabinet, leading to speculations that Wike influenced their appointments into Fubara's administration.
Insiders suggest that more resignations may follow in the coming days, signaling a concerted effort to weaken Governor Fubara's political standing. The intricate power dynamics and growing instability in Rivers State underscore the complexity of the political landscape, leaving many questions unanswered about the future trajectory of the state's governance.
