Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday, swore in Benibo Anabraba as the new Secretary to the State Government, urging him to discharge his duties honourably and avoid abuse of power.
Anabraba’s appointment marked the first major appointment by Funara since his reinstatement following the lifting of the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu on September 18.
Anabraba, a former Minority Leader in the Rivers State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, also previously served as Commissioner for Housing under the incumbent administration. He was among those screened by the former factional Speaker of the State Assembly loyal to the governor, Victor Oko-Jumbo.
While congratulating the new SSG, Fubara described the appointment as an act of divine favour.
He said, “So, I use the word ‘congratulations’ because this position you just got can only be God’s. My charge is very simple — God has brought you in at this particular time to be the Secretary to the Government of Rivers State.
“It’s a real opportunity. We can count the number of SSGs from the inception of Rivers State, but you can’t count the number of commissioners — they are too many. So, it’s a position of honour.
“I want you to guard that office with honour, discharge your duty with respect, and protect the interests of Rivers State. When you leave office, I want you to leave with honour, and you can only do so when you discharge your duty responsibly.”
The governor expressed confidence in Anabraba’s ability to perform, noting his past record of service.
“I have no doubt that you’re going to perform well,” Fubara said. “I know you were a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly. In fact, you were a principal officer at that time — I think Minority Leader. You were also one of my commissioners, and I knew, within the period we worked together, that you did well.
“You’re a very dedicated person. So this opportunity is not an opportunity to show power. It’s not an opportunity to say, ‘Because I have a big office, I can do as I please.’ It’s a call to duty.
“We’re coming from a very, very bad position. We really need to reassure the people of Rivers State that we mean well for them — especially now that peace has returned to the state. So please, by the grace of God, do your work very well to help us succeed in this assignment that God Almighty has given to us,” the governor added.
Our correspondent reports that Fubara’s return to the governorship has coincided with a flurry of administrative changes as the governor consolidates his team.
The appointment follows Fubara’s reinstatement after months of political and legal turbulence that led to his suspension under the emergency rule declared by President Tinubu.
Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly. He cited the prolonged political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, as the reason for the drastic measure.
In Fubara’s place, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, with a mandate to restore political stability in the state.
Upon assumption of office, Ibas suspended all commissioners, special advisers, and assistants appointed by Fubara. He also dissolved boards and suspended heads of parastatals he met in office.
Since Ibas exited the state on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had remained uncertain. The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after the lifting of the emergency rule, called on the governor to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees for screening, alongside the 2025 budget for passage.
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