The Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), and his counterpart in the Ministry of Finance, Isaac Kamalu, tendered their resignations on Wednesday, rebuffing redeployments ordered by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Their decisions mark the latest upheaval in a state marred by political discord and legal battles.
The resignations, announced barely 24 hours after their redeployments were made public, underscore simmering tensions within the state’s executive council. Adangor, previously reassigned to the Ministry of Special Duties, cited “irreconcilable differences” with the governor, accusing him of obstructing the performance of his duties. In a similar vein, Kamalu questioned Fubara’s assertions regarding a purported N27bn monthly increase in Internally Generated Revenue, expressing skepticism and highlighting challenges to effective governance amidst acrimony.
Both officials had previously resigned from their positions in December 2023, only to be reinstated following interventions by President Bola Tinubu amid a peace agreement brokered in Abuja. However, the current impasse appears entrenched, reflecting deeper rifts within the state’s political landscape.
Adangor’s resignation letter, dated April 24, condemned what he perceived as unwarranted interference in judicial matters, a sentiment echoed by Kamalu in his own missive. Both officials cited their commitment to upholding professional integrity and serving the public interest as paramount in their decisions to step down.
Legal battles surrounding Tinubu’s intervention persist, with the Appeal Court deliberating over the constitutionality of the Abuja peace agreement. Plaintiffs, including Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe and nine others, contest the legitimacy of legislative actions taken following the resolution, arguing for the interpretation of constitutional provisions amidst defections and parliamentary vacancies.
Speaking to reporters, Chief Sara-Igbe emphasized the pursuit of justice as pivotal for restoring peace in Rivers State, signaling ongoing turmoil amidst legal wrangling and political maneuvering.
The unfolding saga in Rivers State underscores broader challenges facing Nigerian governance, with institutional integrity and constitutional interpretation at the forefront of a contentious and protracted dispute.
