Why we rejected four Fubara’s commissioner nominees – Rivers Assembly explains

Why we rejected four Fubara’s commissioner nominees – Rivers Assembly explains

The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected four out of nine commissioner-nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, citing poor performance during screening and controversies surrounding some of the nominees’ credentials.

Five nominees, however, were cleared as commissioners-designate following a screening session that lasted more than two hours during Monday’s plenary.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who presided over the sitting, announced the outcome after lawmakers debated the nominations and voted on the candidates.

“Distinguished colleagues, we have nine nominees forwarded to this Assembly by the governor. At the end of the screening exercise, the House has confirmed five of them,” Amaewhule said.

He explained that the remaining four were not confirmed because they failed to convince lawmakers of their preparedness and suitability for office.

“And four of them, the House has chosen to take a deep breath, given their poor performance and controversies surrounding their documents.

“They have not been able to show this august assembly that they are prepared to serve Rivers State or that they are able.

“And we feel that they are not square pegs in square holes for the offices they intend to occupy in the Rivers State Executive Council,” he said.

Amaewhule added that the Assembly would formally communicate its decision to the governor for further action.

“On that note, distinguished colleagues, I thank you for your contributions. With your leave and in line with our rules, I will forward the resolution of this august assembly to the governor so that he can take necessary steps in the interest of Rivers State,” he stated.

After seeking the House’s approval to write to the governor, the Speaker added: “On that note, I’m going to forward a letter to the governor and ask him to swear in five of the nominees as soon as possible.”

The nominees rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Datonye Alasia, Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree, and Charity Deemua.

Those confirmed by the lawmakers are Tonye Belgam, Prof. Temple Nwafor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amarigha Edward-Hart.

During the screening, Deemua faced questions from lawmakers over inconsistencies in her tax clearance certificate. Responding to a query raised by Burabari Loolo about the document, which showed no record of tax payment after December 31, 2018, she said she had no formal job because she was a politician.

“Madam, you have not been paying tax since 2018?” Amaewhule asked.

“As I said before, I’m a politician. We don’t have an office. I don’t have work. Mr Speaker, I think tax is generated from your income,” Deemua replied.

The Speaker pressed further: “So politicians don’t pay tax? Have you not had any income since 2018 to date? Madam, you’re under oath; you’ve not had any income from 2018 to 2026. That is what you’re telling Rivers people?”

Deemua later explained that she had served briefly as a caretaker committee member in a local government in 2025 and had also been a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission.

Amaewhule challenged the explanation: “Were you not paid a salary when you were a caretaker committee member?”

“We were paid, but I protest, Mr Speaker, the payment was not an income,” Deemua said.

“But you said you have not had any income from 2018 till date, so no tax clearance. That is what you’re telling Rivers people? Madam, that is not nice. You’re misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly,” the Speaker replied.

Deemua later apologised to the House.

Another nominee, Tamuno Williams, was asked by House Leader Major Jack to recite the second stanza of the national anthem but could only recall the first stanza.

In addition, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Complaints and Petitions, Dr. Enemi George, informed lawmakers that more than 10 petitions had been filed against nominee Otonye Amachree, noting that another electronic petition was received during the screening.

Despite the contentious session, Amaewhule commended lawmakers for carrying out their constitutional responsibility.

“Distinguished colleagues, let me thank all of you for your participation in this screening session. You were elected to do this job. It is our duty to get the best for Rivers people, which is why questions were asked and the nominees answered,” he said.

Following the exercise, House Leader Major Jack moved a motion for the nominees to leave the chamber, which was seconded by Deputy Majority Leader Linda Stewart.

The House subsequently adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

In a statement released after the sitting by the Speaker’s media aide, Martin Wachukwu, the Assembly confirmed the outcome of the screening conducted during its 63rd legislative session.

The statement read: “In sequel to the letter read on the floor of the House last Thursday by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, conveying the message of Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara on the screening and confirmation of commissioner-nominees forwarded to the House pursuant to Section 192 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended; the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Monday, at its 63rd legislative sitting, screened and confirmed the nomination of Mr Tonye Belgam, Dr Peters Nwagor, Prof Temple Nwofor, Mr Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amarigha Edward-Hart as commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council.”

It added: “While the House rejected the nomination of Prof Datonye Alasia, Mrs Charity Deemua, Otonye T.K.D. Amachree, and Tamuno Williams, Esq.

“Screening of the nominees involved scrutiny of their academic qualifications, work history, tax compliance, petitions against some of them, and other matters.”

The Assembly also directed the Clerk of the House to forward its resolution confirming the five nominees to the governor.