Eight commissioners in Rivers State have reportedly tendered their resignation, adding a new twist to the former governor of the state and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike’s tumultuous relationship with governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Not even 48 hours have passed since twenty-seven (27) members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress, forcing a factional speaker loyal to Governor Fubara to declare their seats vacant.
The commissioners who left Fubara’s cabinet had close relations to former Rivers governor Nyesome Wike, according to the findings, and it appears that this rivalry over power between Fubara and Wike — his boss and predecessor — is the reason behind their resignations.
Further research showed that Wike’s administration engaged six of the eight commissioners who tendered their resignations.
WITHIN NIGERIA highlights the names and brief biographies of eight commissioners who tendered their resignations because of their allegiance to Nyesome Wike, ex-Rivers Governor and FCT minister.
Commissioner for Works, Dr Des George-Kelly
Dr. Alabo George-Kelly, also known as Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly was born on 23rd of December in Kalabari, Rivers State. He is a Nigerian politician and surveyor. He was a principle manager (infrastructure) in the Niger Delta Development Commission.
He was appointed as commissioner, Rivers State Ministry of Works by Nyesom Wike. He also contested the Rivers State 2022 Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial primary election where he came second after Siminalayi Fubara, the incumbent governor of Rivers. He was reappointed by Governor Fubara as commissioner for Works and he is one of eight commissioners who tendered their resignation.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN)
Professor Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), popularly known as Zacchaeus Adangor is a Nigerian Politician and the Commissioner for Rivers State Ministry of Justice.
He is a renowned Professor of Constitutional Law and Natural Resources with the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
In 2020, he was sworn in as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Also, he is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and a Knight of Saint Christopher (Ksc).
Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor has contributed significantly to the development of Constitutional law in Nigeria. His eruditions have been published widely in both local and international law journals with several book chapters and monographs
Commissioner for Special Duties, Chukwuemeka Woke
Chukwuemeka Woke (also known as Emeka Woke) is a Nigerian politician and technocrat. He is an engineer and a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party.
He has served as chairman of Emohua local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria. He was appointed in June, 2005 to serve as the Chief of Staff of Rivers State Government.
Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu
Isaac Kamalu is a Nigerian politician and technocrat. He hails from Alode community. He is a member of the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party. From 2007 to 2011, he served as chief whip and member of the Rivers State House of Assembly for the constituency of Eleme.
He was the immediate past Rivers State Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planing in December, 2015. He was appointed as Rivers State Commissioner for Finance after taking over from Fred Kpakol in 2019. Governor Fubara reappointed him in same office and capacity.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom
Dr. Prince Chinedu Mmom is a Nigerian politician and technocrat. He graduated from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, B.Sc(Edu) Hons,(1995) and PhD(2005) in Environmental Resources Planning & Management, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
He is currently the Chairman, Nigerian Environmental Society(NES) Rivers State, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Nigerian Environmental Society(JNES) and Senior Lecturer Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt.
He was Acting Director, University Environmental Beautification and Sanitation Unit, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (2009-2012) and Team Leader, EIA for the Rivers State Government Waste-to-Wealth Project at Rumukwurushi and Igwuruta-Ali. As at the time of resignation, he is the Rivers State Commissioner for Education.
Commissioner for Housing, Dr Gift Worlu
He is a Nigerian politician and technocrat. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one of the key loyalists of former Rivers Governor, Nyesome Wike. He is the fourth commissioner to tender his resignation letter. He was the Rivers State Commissioner for Housing.
Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Aguma
Mrs Inime Aguma is a Nigerian politician and legal practitioner. She was the National President of FIDA Nigeria, the umbrella body of Female Lawyers in the country, rising from being a one time State Chairperson of the Organisation before she was appointed as a commissioner.
She was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1990 and has practiced Law for an upwards of 28 years. She served in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice from 1992 to 2007 and voluntarily retired as an Assistant Director upon her appointment as Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in the government of His Excellency, Sir Celestine Ngozichim Omehia.
Prior to then, she had been the Financial Secretary of The Adolescent Project (TAP), the pet project of former First Lady of Rivers State, Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili.
Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Jacobson Nbina
Dr. Jacobson Nbina is a Nigerian politician. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one of key loyalists of the former Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike. Until his resignation, he acted in the capacity of Honorable Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Jacobson Nbina.
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