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The Rivers State Government has been hit by mass resignation of officials of the government as the crisis in the oil-rich Niger Delta State continue assume new dimensions.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports political crisis erupted in Rivers when the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara fell out of favour with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is currently FCT Minister.
Wike had accused Fubara of hobnobbing with political opponents in the State and tempering with the political structure of the State. However, the crisis had since assumed different dimensions.
The State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Mmom is the recent to join the others who resigned from the State Government’s service.
Mmom disclosed this in a letter routed through the office of the Secretary to Rivers State Government (SSG) to the governor on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Mmom in his letter, said his resignation was for personal reasons.
“I hereby resign my appointment as the Commissioner for Education, Rivers State for personal reasons.
“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to you for the opportunity given to me to serve in your administration and wish you the best as you carry on with the government of our dear state,” the letter read.
TNG reports the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zaccheaus Adangor has earlier resigned from office on Thursday.
Many of the Commissioners had similarly resigned from the State Executive Council, including the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs Inime Aguma.
Others are Dr. Kelly George, Commissioner for Works; Mr Chukwuemeka Woke, Chief of Staff to the Governor and Isaac Kamalu, the Commissioner for Finance.
See list of commissioners who have so far resigned from Fubara’s government
- Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice – Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN)
- Commissioner for Works – Dr Des George-Kelly
- Commissioner for Special Duties – Emeka Woke
- Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation – Mrs Inime Aguma
- Commissioner for Finance – Isaac Kamalu
- Commissioner for Education – Prof. Chinedu Mmom
- Commissioner for Housing – Dr. Gift Worlu
- Commissioner for Transport – Chief Dr. Jacobson Nbina JP
Elders call for peace in Rivers
Meanwhile, a Coalition of Rivers leaders of thought, has called for peace and de-escalation of political tension in the state to create an enabling environment for the people to enjoy dividends of democracy.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed the Convener, Chief Sunnie Chukwumele Fosha and Secretary, Mr Josiah Onoriode and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
”It has become necessary for the coalition to continue to cry for peace in the face of the heinous political conflict that is threatening to engulf the state.
“We lend our voice and contribute to issues based on conviction. We also act as vanguards to engage in agenda setting, feedbacks, propagation and promotion of good governance.
“We are not happy with the ugly political developments in the state culminating in the threat of impeachment of the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and the factionalisation of the state Legislators.
“Also, the alleged gun attack on one of the Factional speakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly has put our dear state in bad light, which is also bad enough to distract the governor,” it said.
The coalition added:“No meaningful governance can take place in the state under the prevailing unhealthy political atmosphere with its attendant bloody kind explosive nature.
“We therefore call for peace, love and de-escalation of the political tension, squabbles and animosities to allow for peaceful environment to facilitate the effective delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.
“This is very important for the growth and development of Rivers and for her people to experience good governance and prosperity.”
It said that governance in the state was being distracted, saying that this would negatively impact on the citizenry.
“With such distraction, the desired dividends of governance will be denied the good people of Rivers.
“And this is in counter to the spirit of section 14, sub-section 2(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which expressly states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“This cannot be achieved if the governor of the state is continuously and deliberately distracted from concentrating in the discharge of his constitutional mandate to the peoples and citizens of Rivers.
“It is regrettable that the prevailing situation appears to be giving impetus to rising cases of criminality, occasioning armed attacks and killings in the state.”
“For example, the armed attack on the residence of Rep. Edison Ehie, the factional speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and even killings by gun attacks in parts of the state.
“If the citizens do not rally support for the State to experience peaceful atmosphere for good governance, security and life of the people, we may be on the road to Somalia”.
The coalition said that the prevailing situation paint a gloomy picture as it scared and repel investments and investors; and all the seen efforts of the governor and his government would become exercise in futility.
“We encourage the governor to declare a state of emergency on critical areas that deal with UN Millennium Development Goals like Education, Health, Eradication of poverty and hunger, water and sanitation, climate action, peace, etc.
”We urged Fubara to also pay attention to other critical aspects of the state economy like the Blue Economy, Agriculture, employment of teachers, and management of pensioners and welfare of the Aged.
“We call on all men and women of goodwill to continue to pray for the state and rally round her and the government to navigate through these trying and tough times.
“More than any resource today, Rivers needs peace and Stability,’’ it said.