Three Commissioners quit Fubara’s cabinet as Rivers crisis worsens
No fewer than three Commissioners on Wednesday resigned as members of the State Executive Council.
This is coming amid the political crisis bedevilling the state following the leadership battle between the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his immediate predecessor Nyesom Wike.
The Commissioner for Education, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom was the first to hit the public with his resignation notice contained in a letter he addressed to the state governor through the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
Professor Mmom referenced a “toxic” working environment as his reason for resignation, stating that such an environment will make it impossible to achieve “my set targets for the Education sector in the State”
Shortly after the report of Mmom’s resignation, the Commissioner for Housing, Gift Worlu also tendered his resignation from Governor Sim Fubara’s government.
Worlu, in his resignation letter which was contained in a letter dated May 15 and directed to the governor, thanked Furaba for the privilege to serve in his government.
Similarly, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Austen Ben-Chioma also announced his resignation from the cabinet on Wednesday.
In his letter of resignation, Ben-Chioma, who thanked the governor for the privilege to serve, attributed his decision to the lingering political crisis in the state.
He said, “I want to appreciate Your Excellency for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the State Executive Council. My decision to resign is due to the political crisis befalling our dear state and other personal reasons”
the resignations are not unconnected to the face-off between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
There are indications that other unpleasant events may still unfold subsequently as the governor insisted that about 25 lawmakers loyal to Wike, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress APC have lost their seats.
