Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council and relieved all Special Advisers of their appointments.
In addition, the governor has appointed a new Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onwuka Nzeshi, while his former Chief Press Coordinator, Nelson Chukwudi, was relieved of his duties.
No reason was provided for Chukwudi’s dismissal.
The cabinet dissolution was contained in a Government Special Announcement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday and sent to newsmen by the new Chief Press Secretary.
Governor Fubara directed all commissioners and special advisers to hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their ministries with immediate effect.
The statement read: “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council.
“His Excellency has therefore directed all commissioners and special advisers to hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their ministries with immediate effect.
“His Excellency further expresses his deepest appreciation to the outgoing members of the executive council, wishing them the best in their future endeavours.”
Our correspondent reports that the development is connected to a recent peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.
This marks the third time Tinubu has intervened in political tensions involving the governor, his estranged political godfather and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and members of the state House of Assembly.
Following the dissolution, Fubara is expected to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees to the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
It is understood that, as part of the agreement with Wike, Fubara will include some loyalists of the former administration in his new cabinet, while certain former commissioners may be reinstated.
