Eight Commissioner-designates have been confirmed as members of the State Executive Council by a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly that supports Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Before confirmation, Fubara forwarded the nominees’ names to the House, led by the factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, for review.

During their meeting on Tuesday, 21 May 2,024, in the temporary legislative chambers in the Government House Administrative Block in Port Harcourt, the Assembly conducted a thorough interview of the nominees. Notably, the House asked two former Commissioners, Dr. Peter Medee and Eloka Tasie-Amadi, who held the positions of Energy and Works Commissioners, respectively, during Nyesom Wike’s immediate predecessor administration, to bow and leave.

After the pro-Fubara lawmakers questioned the other six nominations, they were confirmed as commissioner-designates.

Speaker Oko-Jumbo tasked the commissioner-designates with a clear mandate to contribute significantly to the state’s progress in his remarks. He urged them to help the governor reap the benefits of democracy for the populace and promised the backing of the House to ensure the governor’s success. He also counseled the governor to resume his excellent work without distraction.

He declared, “Those who are supposed to bring the dividends of democracy to our people, we can ensure that we foster an environment where His Excellency will take on more responsibility as a legislative.

“While we applaud His Excellency for all of his accomplishments while in office, we also use this occasion to urge His Excellency to avoid becoming distracted. We implore him to stay focused on the directive that the people of Rivers State have issued him. We also urge him to avoid partiality. He should keep providing our people with the benefits of democracy.

The House Leader, Sokari Goodboy, complimented the Governor on the quality of individuals sent to the House for screening in an interview with reporters following the screening. “We are pleased and proud of the nominees. We held our meeting today and screened eight commissioners for the Order Paper. We know too well that the executive arm of the state needs to be filled.”

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