In a surprising twist amid Rivers State’s ongoing political tensions, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State Peter Akuboh has advised Governor Siminalayi Fubara to proceed with swearing in some or all of the commissioner nominees recently rejected by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The call comes just a day after the Assembly, in a televised plenary session on March 9, 2026, confirmed five out of the nine nominees submitted by the governor, while rejecting four others. The confirmed nominees include Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart. Those rejected are Professor Datonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye TKD Amachree.
Assembly Speaker Martins Amaewhule cited poor performance during screening exercises and controversies surrounding documents and petitions as reasons for the rejections. The House directed the Speaker to formally notify Governor Fubara to swear in only the approved nominees “as soon as possible.”
The APC chieftain’s advice, however, suggests a bolder approach: ignoring or challenging the Assembly’s decision on the rejected picks and proceeding to inaugurate them anyway. This stance appears to reflect growing frustration within some APC circles over the Assembly’s handling of executive nominations, especially as Governor Fubara — who defected to the APC late last year — continues to navigate complex alliances and rivalries in the state.
The development highlights the fragile political balance in Rivers State, where Governor Fubara’s administration has faced repeated challenges, including past impeachment attempts, local government disputes, and shifting party loyalties. Observers note that the governor’s relatively measured responses to provocations have been described by him as deliberate and strategic.
No official response has yet emerged from Government House regarding the APC chieftain’s counsel or the Assembly’s directive. Political watchers in Port Harcourt are closely monitoring whether this latest advice will escalate tensions between the executive and legislature or lead to fresh negotiations.
The situation underscores the persistent undercurrents in Rivers politics, as stakeholders position themselves ahead of future electoral cycles. Further updates are expected as the governor decides his next line of action on the commissioner list.
