Joe Johnson, Rivers State Commissioner for Information has confirmed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara sent the names of the nine commissioners who resigned from his cabinet to the Rivers State House of Assembly for re-screening.
Johnson, however, said he is unaware of when the commissioners will be sworn in by the governor.
Speaking on a program on Today 95.1 FM, Real Talk on Wednesday, the Commissioner said the action of the governor complies with the eight-point resolution signed by all parties in Abuja to resolve the political crisis in the state and the ruling of a Federal High Court that status quo be maintained till February 26.
“The Assembly didn’t develop it on their own, it was something that we sent. It was not forged.
“The governor had an eight-point agenda with His Excellency the President, and that was part of the decision taken in that auspicious moment. So, it would be wrong to begin to lie to Rivers people.
“We are bent on doing everything without compromising the integrity of the state. If you listen to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, he also read that he got a letter from the Governor. He wouldn’t be lying.
“If you will recall, the conflicting judgments that we have gotten from the Omotosho and the Abdul Malik courts two days ago: one gave an order, and the other one says maintain status quo.
“And then in equity, when two equities arrive, the last takes preeminence.
“We are obedient to the law; we are a government that is governed by the Rule of Law. If the law says maintain status quo, it means remain where you are until 28 of February.”
The Commissioner clarified that Governor Fubara is not choosing which of the resolutions to comply with, noting that the Governor has implemented his side of the resolution reached to de-escalate the situation in the state.
He added that every decision of Governor Fubara is based on the advice of his legal team.
“When you have conflicting judgments or orders or rulings from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, parties are at liberty to pick and choose.
“If you ask me, between the two, one is from Omotosho, and the other one came from Abdul Malik. If you were to be Amaewhule you would not want to look at the one that says maintain status quo, you will run with the one that says go and ask for the budget to be represented.
“If you were to be on the other side, you are likely to tow the one that favorably disposes you to do that which pleases you.
“I’ve always told media houses that we will allow our legal team to advise us. I’m a legal scholar and I understand that every judgment means so much” he said.
On January 17, 2024, nine ex-commissioners who resigned from Governor Fubara’s cabinet following the political impasse in the state were rescreened by the state House of Assembly.
The Commissioners have yet to be inaugurated by the governor.
Governor Fubara on January 16, swore in 16 new Permanent Secretaries to handle the administrative duties of the ministries, “pending when the ministries might have a political head.”
The governor also clarified that their appointment was not politically motivated.
The political crisis in Rivers State is predicated on the sudden rift between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The actual reasons for the duo going their separate ways, barely six months after Fubara’s inauguration, have been widely speculated.
The crisis has, however, affected the legislative arm of the state, leading to the creation of two factions – one loyal to the governor and the other loyal to the minister.
President Bola Tinubu, however, intervened in the impasse, and a peace deal was signed on December 18, by both parties. The deal has, however, been widely criticized by many, including the Chairman of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Pa Edwin Clark.
Many have also said the peace deal appeared to be more in favour of Wike.
