Rivers Assembly Rejects Fubara Nominees
On March 9, 2026, the Rivers State House of Assembly rejected four out of nine commissioner-nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara for screening and confirmation. The Assembly approved five nominees for appointment into the State Executive Council after a screening exercise that lasted more than two hours.
The rejected nominees included Prof. Datonye Alasia, Barrister Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree, and Charity Deemua. The Assembly confirmed Tonye Belgam, Prof Temple Nwafor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amarigha Edward-Hart as commissioners-designate.
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, stated that the four nominees were rejected due to poor performance during the screening exercise and controversies surrounding their nominations. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that Rivers State got the best hands for the government.
The screening involved scrutiny of academic qualifications, work history, tax compliance, and petitions against some nominees. Notably, Charity Deemua admitted during the screening that she had not paid tax since 2018, raising further concerns.
Otonye Amachree faced significant scrutiny, with the number of petitions against him increasing from 11 to 15 during the process. The Assembly directed that a letter be sent to the governor requesting that the five cleared nominees be sworn in without delay.
The screening session was broadcast live on television, allowing the public to witness the proceedings. The Assembly’s decision reflects ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, particularly surrounding political appointments.
The House has adjourned plenary to March 17, 2026, as the political landscape continues to evolve. The Speaker reiterated that the governor should proceed with swearing in the five approved nominees but should refrain from swearing in the four that were not cleared.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps for the rejected nominees and any potential appeals or further actions from the governor’s office.