Rivers Drama: Wike Loyalists Reject Governor Fubara’s Redeployment

The two cabinet members in Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s government who were redeployed to new ministries have resigned their appointment.

The former commissioners, Prof Zaccheaus Adangor and Isaac Kamalu who are loyalists of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sent in their resignation letter through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, yesterday.

In their separate resignation letters addressed to the governor, they claimed that the job is no longer convenient for them.

The former Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, Adangor who was reassigned to Ministry of Special Duties, said “I wish to state for the record, that I am no longer willing to continue to serve in the administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, in any capacity whatsoever”.

He claimed they “the Governor of Rivers State had in the past couple of weeks wilfully interfered with the performance of my duties as the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State by directing me not to defend, oppose, or appear in suits instituted against the Honourable Attorney-General and the Government of Rivers State by persons admittedly hired and sponsored by the Government of Rivers State.

“That having served the Government and good people of Rivers State dutifully as

member of the Rivers State Executive Council for the past five (5) years, it has

become imperative for me to quit the administration in order to preserve my

reputation”.

On his part, the former Commissioner for Finance, Kamalu, who was redeployed to Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, and also rejected his new posting expressed that he would rather quit than be in the government where the atmosphere was not peaceful. 

He expressed that after the peace agreement meeting with President Bola Tinubu, he expected a government that will work in accordance with the laid down rules.

Kamalu also disagreed with the announcement of the increased in State Internally Generated Revealed (IGR) by the governor, saying that although the amount was not  as was declared but achievement was accumulated efforts of past government.

In his long resignation letter addressed directly to the governor, Kamalu pen down “Your Excellency would recall that I served under the Administration of His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, now Honorable Minister of the Capital Territory, Abuja, originally as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning (2015-2019) and subsequently as Commissioner for Finance – with oversight responsibility for the Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic

Planning (2019- 2023). 

“The mandates of the respective Ministries were to the best of our abilities (as Ministries) duly carried out and at all times material relevant reforms were embarked upon for improved performance and effective and sustainable service delivery.

“Initiating and (supporting existing) policy frameworks for enhanced internal revenue generation. This with (necessary adjustments made on some of the programs) led to the increase in the internal revenue receipts. This steady rise has been on for some years now culminating in what the State is presently generating though not the figures erroneously claimed in the Media.

“Aggressive improvement in Federation receipts by securing totally for the State, the Soku Oilfields that were the subject of long standing dispute between our State and Bayelsa; the total recovery by the State of Oilfields that were also the subject of disagreement between the State and Imo State Government; the successful claim against International Oil Companies (1OCS) on production sharing contracts; the recoveries arising from 13% derivation and the demand by the State for adherence to the fiscal provisions in the Constitution in support of States by successfully removing from Federation receipts institutions of Government whether State or Federal not so recognized by the Constitution such as the Police Trust Fund and others thus widening the available receipts for States and the last but not the least our success on the subject of Value Added Tax”.

He said “The reason behind these painstaking efforts was to make available a basket of receipts sufficient to enable the State deliver good governance through the provision of goods and services. It was this idea that informed the Continuity and Consolidation mantra that was the theme of your election campaign and Government thereafter”.

On the peace pact, Kamalu stated “You will respectfully recall that when the climate of discord became unbearable I and other like-minded Members of the Executive Council that were appointed by you resigned. You thereafter engaged His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President and Commander -in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as Father of the Nation to intervene in the matter. In deference to the directive of Mr. President I and the others were recalled and we all accepted and joined the Cabinet again. I expected Sir that with the opportunity provided by Mr. President every effort will be made to sustain peace.

“Regrettably Your Excellency the peace in Government and governance that we all – citizens and residents- of the State desire has remained out of reach despite our consistent efforts and demand for same, This has affected our ability to protect and defend the gains that we made these past years. 

“In the course of official engagements I have reiterated on the need for this peace and the fact that we all are wiling and determined to work for this. It is very

difficult to deliver good governance where there is acrimony and discord. It is not the point of service that is important but the climate. Our present  circumstance makes service delivery extremely challenging. I still hold the belief that it is never too late for peace”.

He however stated  that “In view of the above I find it difficult to accept the redeployment. I do not accept it. I reject it and convey to you my immediate resignation as Commissioner and Member of the Rivers State Executive Council with effect from the date of this letter”.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

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