The Rivers First Movement (RMF) has strongly condemned the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to reject four commissioner nominees sent to it for screening and confirmation, describing the move as politically motivated and detrimental to governance in the state.
The Assembly presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule had on Monday screened nine nominees forwarded by the state government but confirmed only five—Tonye Belgam, Temple Nwafor, Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amarigha Edward-Hart as commissioners-designate.
However, the lawmakers declined to confirm four other nominees: Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree, and Prof. Datonye Alasia.
According to the Assembly, Amachree’s confirmation was set aside following petitions filed against him, while Alasia, a former Deputy Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) was stepped down after his disappointing responses during the screening exercise.
Similarly, Deemua was not cleared after she allegedly failed to present valid tax clearance certificates, while Williams was denied approval over previous remarks he reportedly made regarding the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
But reacting to the development, the Rivers First Movement said the Assembly’s decision raises serious concerns about the motives behind the rejection of the nominees.
In a statement issued by the group Director-General, Maobuye Nangi Obu, the RMF argued that it was “unthinkable and unacceptable” to attribute the rejection to poor performance or competence, given what it described as the high calibre and professional standing of the affected nominees.
The group maintained that if the Assembly had genuine concerns about the nominees’ documentation or responses during screening, lawmakers should have given them the opportunity to address the issues and reappear before the House rather than outrightly rejecting their nominations.
According to the RMF, the action of the lawmakers appears to be driven by “primitive political calculations and ulterior motives” that are now undermining effective governance in the state.
The group lamented that the political tension between key actors in the state is badly affecting governance, noting that Rivers State currently has only five confirmed commissioners out of the 23 expected to represent the state’s local government areas.
The RMF also alleged that the outcome of the screening might have been different if the nominees had the backing of certain political interests.
“This situation is unacceptable. A state that ought to have a full complement of commissioners to drive governance across ministries will now operate with just five because of political disagreements. When are we going to see an end to all these shenanigans?
“If these nominees were connected to their political godfather or known to them, they would simply have been asked to take a bow and go,” the group said.
Speaking specifically on Prof. Datonye Alasia, the group described him as a highly respected medical professional with the capacity to lead the health sector effectively, noting that his wealth of experience makes him well suited to head the state’s Ministry of Health.
The group therefore urged the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the names of the rejected nominees alongside others for reconsideration, stressing that governance should not be held hostage by political disputes.
It also called on well-meaning elders and stakeholders in Rivers State to intervene and help resolve what it described as an avoidable political impasse, warning that the continued stalemate could further slow development in the oil-rich state.
“Rivers people deserve a government that is focused on development, not endless political battles. The time has come for all actors to place the interests of the state above narrow political considerations.”
