The Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed five out of nine commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara following an extensive screening session marked by probing questions and intense deliberations in Port Harcourt.
During the exercise, each nominee appeared before lawmakers to present their credentials and respond to inquiries regarding their professional backgrounds, public service records, and eligibility for appointment.
One of the first nominees to face the Assembly was Professor Datonye Alasia, a medical doctor and professor of medicine. Lawmakers raised concerns about discrepancies in his birth certificate as well as the absence of a tax clearance certificate among his submitted documents.
Responding to the concerns, Alasia explained that the alteration on the birth certificate might have originated from the doctor who signed it at the time. He also apologised for failing to attach his tax clearance certificate before submitting his documents.
“As a nephrologist, I have trained many consultants and doctors in the university, and that forms part of my contribution to Rivers State,” he told the Assembly when asked about his impact on the state despite his international engagements.
However, his explanations did not convince some lawmakers. Honourable Peter Abbey of Degema moved a motion that the nominee should not be confirmed, describing his responses as unsatisfactory. The motion was seconded, and the House subsequently voted against his confirmation.
Another nominee, Tonye Bellgam, who holds a master’s degree in Project Management and has extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, was confirmed after lawmakers considered his professional qualifications and experience.
Professor Temple Nwofor, a civil engineering professor from Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, was also confirmed. During questioning, he was asked whether he would execute projects not captured in the state budget. In response, he stated that he would strictly adhere to budgetary provisions, a position that appeared to satisfy the lawmakers.
Similarly, Dr Peters Nwagor, a mathematician and Associate Dean at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, secured confirmation after outlining his academic and administrative experience.
Proceedings became tense when Mrs Charity Deemua, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission, appeared before the House.
Lawmakers questioned inconsistencies in her birth records and the absence of tax documentation. When asked about her work experience, she stated that she was a politician and did not have conventional employment, prompting the Speaker to question whether politicians were exempt from paying taxes. The House eventually declined to confirm her nomination.
Tamuno Williams, a lawyer from Okrika and former local government chairman, was also rejected after lawmakers raised concerns about alleged past criticisms of the Assembly. Although he defended his comments as legal opinions grounded in jurisprudence, the House voted against his confirmation.
Chartered accountant Lekue Kenneth, who currently serves as a senior project accountant on the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, was confirmed after presenting his experience in financial management and project accounting.
Another nominee, senior lawyer and university lecturer Otonye Amachree, faced scrutiny over petitions and his involvement in a previous legal dispute concerning a Kalabari regency matter. Despite addressing the concerns raised, the Assembly declined to confirm his nomination.
The final nominee, Amairigha Edward Hart, a private sector executive, was successfully confirmed.
At the end of the screening exercise, the Assembly approved five nominees — Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amairigha Edward Hart — while rejecting Professor Datonye Alasia, Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The Speaker of the House announced that the Assembly would formally communicate its decision to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and facilitate the swearing-in of the confirmed nominees.
“We will write to His Excellency to swear in the five confirmed nominees as soon as possible,” the Speaker stated.
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