The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to forward the list of commissioner nominees to the House for screening and confirmation.
The lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, made the demand on Thursday as the Assembly resumed sitting barely 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule imposed on the state.
Interestingly, the day’s Order Paper contained just one item — a motion to set a legislative agenda for the remainder of the 10th Assembly’s calendar year.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu, are expected to officially retake the reins of government today, marking their return six months after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State over a deepening political crisis. As of 4:50 p.m. Thursday, however, both the governor and his deputy had yet to arrive at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
At the Government House, a jubilant crowd of supporters gathered from the early hours, eager to welcome back their elected leaders. Officials of the state emergency services were also on standby to ensure order and safety.
During the period of emergency rule, President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly, handing over governance to retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who was appointed as sole administrator.
In his farewell address on Wednesday night, Admiral Ibas urged all political stakeholders in Rivers State to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect as the state transitions back to democratic leadership.
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