On Tuesday, a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, screened and confirmed five commissioners designated as members of the State Executive Council.
News About Nigeria reports that the commissioner-designates include; Ilamu Arugu (Abua/Odual), Dr. Roland Obed-Whyte (Degema), Samuel Eyiba (Ahoada), Samuel Anya (Abia State), and Austin Emeka Nnadozie (Etche).
Their confirmation follows a letter sent by Governor Fubara to the factional speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, to determine their suitability as members of the State Executive Council.
Before their confirmation, the Speaker read the letter of the governor during plenary held at the auditorium used for legislative businesses in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
In the letter, the governor noted that his request for the screening of the commissioner nominees is in line with the provisions of Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution as amended
The governor’s letter read, “Request for the screening and confirmation of nominees for admission: Pursuant to Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it is my pleasure to forward the underlisted nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council.”
Shortly after reading the letter, the five commissioner-nominees were ushered into the chambers of the House, where they answered questions from lawmakers on various issues of state policy before being led out of the floor of the Assembly by the Sergeant-at-Arms, David Wariboko.
After a heated debate and voice vote, the Speaker, Oko-Jumbo, directed the clerk to convey the resolution of the House to the state governor, for their possible swearing-in as members of the State Executive Council.
