After Tinubu-Brokered Peace Deal, Fubara Dissolves Rivers Cabinet

A sweeping shake-up has hit the Rivers State Government, as Governor Siminalayi Fubara dissolved the State Executive Council and terminated the appointments of all Special Advisers.

The development was announced in a Government Special Announcement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday and circulated to journalists by the newly appointed Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onwuka Nzeshi.

As part of the changes, Fubara named Nzeshi as his new Chief Press Secretary, while the former Chief Press Coordinator, Nelson Chukwudi, was removed from office. No official explanation was given for Chukwudi’s dismissal.

Following the dissolution, the governor directed commissioners and special advisers to immediately hand over their responsibilities to the permanent secretaries or the most senior officials in their respective ministries.

The statement formally confirmed that Governor Fubara had dissolved the State Executive Council with immediate effect.

It said “His Excellency has therefore directed all commissioners and special advisers to hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their ministries with immediate effect.

“His Excellency further expresses his deepest appreciation to the outgoing members of the executive council, wishing them the best in their future endeavours.”

Our correspondent reports that the development is connected to a recent peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.

This marks the third time Tinubu has intervened in political tensions involving the governor, his estranged political godfather and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and members of the state House of Assembly.

Following the dissolution, Fubara is expected to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees to the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

It is understood that, as part of the agreement with Wike, Fubara will include some loyalists of the former administration in his new cabinet, while certain former commissioners may be reinstated.