Fubara retains eight commissioners as Rivers resets after political crisis
Port Harcourt | October 13, 2025
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has retained eight members of his executive council as he moves to stabilise governance in Rivers State after a months-long political impasse that saw a federal emergency, a Supreme Court ruling and a temporary suspension of his administration.
The retained officials were confirmed as Fubara prepares a fresh list of nominees for screening by the restored Rivers State House of Assembly.
The decision to keep eight commissioners in place follows a turbulent period that began with a bitter rift between Governor Fubara and elements of the Rivers political establishment.
That crisis prompted the federal government to impose a six-month emergency rule in March and briefly replaced Fubara’s executive with a presidential administrator, a measure President Bola Tinubu later lifted after mediation and signs of rapprochement among state leaders.
The Supreme Court earlier this year also weighed in by affirming the legality of the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, a judgement that invalidated some earlier appointments and actions taken by rival factions.
Sources in Government House say the retained officials include Dr Tammy Danagogo (Secretary to the State Government), Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, Dr Adaeze Oreh (Health), Joe Johnson (Information & Communication), Chisom Kenneth Gbali (Youth Development), Engr. Victor Kii (Agriculture), Charles Amadi (Chieftaincy & Community Affairs) and Christopher Green (Sports).
Officials familiar with the decision say the governor kept those he considers both constitutionally secure and critical to continuity of core public services while preparing a fresh list to present to the Assembly.
Governor Fubara held a valedictory session with outgoing members of his cabinet and directed that appointees whose confirmations were affected by the Supreme Court judgment step aside.
A statement from the governor’s office described the step as part of a formal reset intended to align the executive with the court’s ruling and to ensure that future nominations follow statutory processes.
Observers say the partial retention is intended to show both respect for the court’s determination and pragmatism, keeping functioning hands on deck while the governor rebuilds an Assembly-approved team.
Government spokesman: Nelson Chukwudi, the governor’s chief press aide, told reporters the cabinet adjustments were procedural and necessary after the court’s ruling, adding that the governor was committed to a smooth handover to any newly confirmed nominees.
Political analysts are divided. Some see the retention of eight commissioners as a pragmatic step toward administrative stability and a signal that Fubara intends to work within the courts’ parameters to avoid further legal headaches.
Others warn the new configuration will be watched closely for signs that external actors might shape appointments, a sensitive point after the negotiated truce between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Professor Amina Okonkwo (Political Science, Port Harcourt University) described the move as “a necessary compromise” that balances legal realities with governance needs, keeping key ministries functional while the governor complies with judicial and legislative norms.
By contrast, a governance watchdog warned that any perception of outside interference in future nominations could undermine the fragile peace that followed the emergency rule. Both voices underline that legitimacy, judicial, legislative and popular vote will determine whether the reset endures.
For residents, the immediate priority will be continuity in essential services: health, agriculture, youth programmes and information dissemination.
Officials retained include ministers overseeing those portfolios, a practical reassurance as the state enters a new political phase ahead of local and national political cycles. Observers say the real test for Fubara will be how quickly he sends a new, Assembly-compliant slate for confirmation and whether the resulting cabinet can deliver visible improvements on infrastructure and service delivery.
With emergency rule lifted and the Assembly restored to full function, Rivers is at a delicate political inflection point.
Governor Fubara’s partial retention of his team signals an attempt at administrative continuity, but it also opens a transition window in which court rulings, inter-party negotiations and local expectations will shape the next chapter of governance in this oil-producing state.
How the governor manages appointments, balances competing interests and demonstrates results will determine whether the fragile calm becomes a durable peace.
