Fubara fires commissioners, dissolves Rivers Executive Council
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has dissolved the State Executive Council and relieved all commissioners and special advisers of their appointments in a sweeping cabinet shake-up that signals a major reset of governance in the oil-rich state.
The cabinet dissolution was announced in a Government Special Announcement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by the governor’s newly appointed Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onwuka Nzeshi.
With this decisive move, Fubara fires commissioners, dissolves Rivers Executive Council, bringing to an end the tenure of all serving political appointees in the executive arm and paving the way for a fresh list of nominees expected to be sent to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
The development marks one of the most consequential political decisions since Governor Fubara assumed office and reflects ongoing efforts to restructure the state’s governance amid recent political tensions.
Immediate handover ordered
In the official statement, Governor Fubara directed all commissioners and special advisers affected by the cabinet dissolution to immediately hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior civil servants in their respective ministries.
The statement read in part:
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council. His Excellency has directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.”
The directive ensures continuity of government operations while the political transition unfolds.
The sweeping decision reinforces the constitutional authority of the governor to appoint and remove members of the Executive Council, which serves as the highest decision-making body in the state’s executive branch.
New Chief Press Secretary appointed
As part of the restructuring, Governor Fubara appointed Mr Onwuka Nzeshi as his new Chief Press Secretary, replacing Nelson Chukwudi, who was relieved of his duties without an official explanation.
The appointment signals a recalibration of the governor’s media and communication strategy at a time when political developments in Rivers State remain under national scrutiny.
Observers say the appointment of a new Chief Press Secretary alongside the cabinet dissolution underscores the scale of administrative changes taking place.
https://ogelenews.ng/fubara-fires-commissioners-dissolves-rivers-executi…
Assembly awaits fresh commissioner list
Following the cabinet dissolution, attention has now shifted to the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is constitutionally required to screen and confirm commissioner nominees submitted by the governor.
Political analysts expect that Governor Fubara will soon transmit a new list of commissioner nominees to the Assembly, marking the next phase of his administration’s restructuring effort.
This means that although Fubara fires commissioners, dissolves Rivers Executive Council, governance continuity remains intact through permanent secretaries, who are career civil servants.
Until new commissioners are confirmed, these senior civil servants will oversee the day-to-day operations of ministries.
Possible political context behind the decision
The cabinet dissolution comes amid ongoing political developments in Rivers State, including peace talks and federal-level interventions aimed at stabilising the political environment.
Some reports indicate that the move may be linked to efforts to reposition the administration following months of political crisis and governance disputes involving factions within the state’s political structure.
Governor Fubara, who assumed office as governor after a turbulent political transition, has faced a complex governance environment marked by institutional tensions and political realignments.
The decision that Fubara fires commissioners, dissolves Rivers Executive Council may therefore represent both a political and administrative reset.
Constitutional authority and governance implications
Under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, state governors have full authority to appoint and dismiss commissioners and special advisers at their discretion, subject to legislative confirmation of new nominees.
The Executive Council plays a critical role in governance, advising the governor and overseeing ministries responsible for economic development, infrastructure, health, education, and other vital sectors.
By dissolving the council, Governor Fubara effectively ends the tenure of all political heads of ministries, replacing them temporarily with career officials.
Such cabinet dissolutions, while dramatic, are legally permissible and often occur during major political transitions or administrative restructuring.
Governance continues despite cabinet dissolution
Despite the cabinet shake-up, governance in Rivers State will continue uninterrupted because permanent secretaries remain in place to ensure administrative stability.
These officials provide institutional continuity and maintain government operations until new political appointees are confirmed.
The fact that Fubara fires commissioners, dissolves Rivers Executive Council does not create a governance vacuum but rather initiates a transition phase.
What happens next
The next key development will be the submission of a new commissioner list to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Once nominees are screened and confirmed, a new Executive Council will be formed, marking the start of the next phase of Governor Fubara’s administration.
Until then, the decision that Fubara fires commissioners, dissolves Rivers Executive Council remains one of the most defining political actions of his tenure.
For now, Rivers State stands at a critical administrative crossroads.
The cabinet is gone.
The Assembly is waiting.
And a new government structure is about to emerge.
https://punchng.com/fubara-sacks-commissioners-special-advisers
