The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected four commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara while approving five others following a legislative screening exercise.
Lawmakers reached the decision after evaluating the credentials and suitability of all nominees presented for positions in the state executive council.
Those rejected include Datonye Alasia, Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye TKD Amachree, citing concerns raised during the screening process.
The approved nominees are Tonye Bellgam, Temple Nwofor, Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amairigha Hart, who are expected to join the cabinet once formally sworn in.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule, who presided over Monday’s plenary, explained that the rejection was due to poor performance during screening and issues surrounding petitions or documentation.
“Distinguished colleagues, we have nine nominees forwarded to this Assembly by the governor. At the end of the screening exercise the House has confirmed five of them.
“And four of them the House has chosen to take a deep breath given their poor performance and controversies surrounding either their documents and they have not been able to show this august assembly that they are indeed prepared to serve Rivers State or that they are able.
“And we feel that they are not square pegs in square holes for the offices that they intend to occupy in the Rivers State Executive Council.
Amaewhule added that a letter will be sent to the governor requesting the swearing-in of the five confirmed nominees.
The development leaves four commissioner positions vacant, meaning the governor may need to forward new nominations to complete the state cabinet.
