Governor Fubara dissolves executive council, sacks special advisers

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the state executive council and relieved all special advisers of their appointments. The development also saw the appointment of Mr. Onwuka Nzeshi as the new chief press secretary.

The governor’s former chief press secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, was among those dismissed, although no official reason was provided for his removal.

The cabinet dissolution was announced in a government special statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by Mr. Nzeshi. Commissioners and special advisers have been directed to hand over their duties to the permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries with immediate effect.

“His excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the state executive council and expresses his deepest appreciation to the outgoing members, wishing them success in their future endeavours,” the statement read.

The move comes shortly after a peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja between Governor Fubara and the minister of the federal capital territory, Nyesom Wike.

This marks the third time the president has intervened in the ongoing political dispute involving Fubara, his former political godfather, and members of the state house of assembly.

As part of the agreement with Wike, some loyalists of the former administration are expected to be included in Fubara’s new cabinet.

The governor is also expected to submit a fresh list of commissioner nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by speaker Martin Amaewhule, for screening and confirmation.