Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed all commissioners and other senior officials serving in his administration, in a sweeping decision that follows a recent Supreme Court judgment.
The announcement was made in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday evening by the governor’s chief press secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, who confirmed the directive takes immediate effect.
During a valedictory session with his cabinet to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Fubara thanked outgoing officials for their service over the past two years, describing their contributions as vital to the state’s development.
“Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years,” the statement read. “Furthermore, the Governor has relieved all commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgment of their appointments with immediate effect.”
The governor used the occasion to call for national unity, urging Nigerians to work with President Bola Tinubu to build “a peaceful, secure and prosperous country.” He also reaffirmed his commitment to serve Rivers State “with renewed vigour,” while expressing gratitude for the support of its citizens.
The move comes after a turbulent period of political uncertainty in Rivers. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who oversaw the state under emergency rule imposed by President Tinubu, had earlier suspended Fubara’s appointees, dissolved boards and removed heads of parastatals. Since Ibas’s exit on 18 September, the status of Fubara’s officials had remained unclear.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting following the end of emergency rule, urged the governor to present a fresh list of commissioners for screening, alongside the 2025 budget. Fubara’s decision to dissolve his cabinet is likely to set the stage for a comprehensive reshuffle in the weeks ahead.
