Rivers Assembly Defends Rejection of Fubara’s Four Nominees
By: Abudu Olalekan
Rivers Assembly defends rejection of Fubara’s four nominees. They didn’t waste time about it.
Picture the chamber in Port Harcourt that Monday morning. Tension thick enough to cut with knife. Governor Siminalayi Fubara had sent nine names for commissioner positions. The Rivers State House of Assembly gathered for screening. Over two hours of questions, answers, and some awkward moments. When the dust settled, five nominees got the nod. Four others? The lawmakers said no. Just like that.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule presided over everything. He listened careful to all the motions from his colleagues. Then in his summation, he dropped the decision plain. “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.”
The four that didn’t make it? Dropped because of poor performance during screening and plenty controversies around their documents. Petitions too. Amaewhule put it clear: they couldn’t show the House they were ready to serve Rivers State properly. “They have not been able to show this august assembly that they are prepared to serve Rivers State or that they are able.” He said they weren’t square pegs in square holes for those executive council positions.
You could sense the weight in the room. This ain’t small matter in Rivers politics right now. The Speaker thanked everybody for their input. Then with the House approval, he announced plans to forward the resolution to Governor Fubara. “I will forward the resolution of this august assembly to the governor so that he can take necessary steps in the interest of Rivers State.”
After the question was put to the House about writing the letter, Amaewhule added something direct. “On that note, I’m going to forward a letter to the governor and ask him to swear in five of the nominees as soon as possible.” No dragging feet. Get the approved ones to work quick.
The rejected ones include Prof Datonye Alasia, Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree, and Charity Deemua. The cleared nominees? Tonye Belgam, Prof Temple Nwafor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amarigha Edward-Hart. These five now commissioners-designate, waiting for swearing-in.
But the real drama unfolded during the screening itself. Take Charity Deemua for example. When Burabari Loolo asked about inconsistencies in her tax clearance, things got interesting. The document showed no tax payment updates since December 31, 2018. Was she exempted or what? Deemua explained she is a politician with no formal job during that period.
Amaewhule jumped in quick. “Madam, you have not been paying tax since 2018?”
She replied, “As I said before, I’m a politician. We don’t have an office. I don’t have work. Mr Speaker, I think tax is generated from your income.”
The Speaker pressed harder. “So politicians don’t pay tax? Have you not had any income since 2018 to date? Madam, you’re under oath; you’ve not had any income from 2018 to 2026. That is what you’re telling Rivers people?”
Deemua tried to clarify. She served as commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission and briefly as local government caretaker committee member in 2025 for three months. But when asked if she got salary for that caretaker role, she said yes, but protested it wasn’t “income.”
Amaewhule wasn’t having it. “But you said you have not had any income from 2018 till date, so no tax clearance. That is what you’re telling Rivers people? Madam, that is not nice. You’re misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly.”
In the end, she apologised. Face-saving move, you know how these things go.
Then there was Tamuno Williams. House Leader Major Jack asked him to recite the second stanza of the national anthem. The man struggled. He only managed the first stanza. Simple thing, but it didn’t help his case.
For Otonye Amachree, Dr Enemi George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Complaints and Petitions, told the House there were over 10 petitions against him. Even received another electronic one right during screening. That kind of thing raises eyebrows.
After all the back and forth, the Speaker addressed the whole House. “Distinguished colleagues, let me thank all of you for your participation in this screening session. You were elected to do this job. It is our duty to get the best for Rivers people, which is why questions were asked and the nominees answered.”
Major Jack moved the motion for the nominees to leave the chamber. Deputy Majority Leader Linda Stewart seconded it. Plenary adjourned till Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Later, the House issued a statement through Martin Wachukwu, media aide to the Speaker. It confirmed everything. They screened and confirmed Tonye Belgam, Dr Peters Nwagor, Prof Temple Nwafor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amarigha Edward-Hart. Rejected the other four after looking at academic qualifications, work history, tax compliance, petitions, and more.
The statement referenced the governor’s letter under Section 192 of the Constitution. The essence, according to the Speaker, was ensuring Rivers State gets the best hands to deliver dividends of democracy. The Clerk was directed to transmit the resolution to the governor.
This whole episode shows the Assembly taking their oversight role serious. They defended the rejection strongly, saying it was in the interest of the state. No square pegs in round holes. Rivers people expect good governance, and these lawmakers claim they are doing their part to make sure.
In Nigerian politics, especially in Rivers with all the undercurrents, such decisions always spark talk. But the House stood firm. They want credible people in government. The five cleared ones can now prepare to serve. The four rejected? Governor Fubara go decide next steps. Maybe new names or whatever.
One thing clear though: the screening wasn’t rubber stamp affair. Questions were tough. Answers had to match. Tax issues, petitions, basic knowledge like national anthem – all these matter to the lawmakers. They believe it reflects on who can truly help move the state forward.
As the letter heads to Government House, eyes are on what comes next. Will the governor swear in the five soon? How will he handle the rejected ones? Politics in Rivers never stays quiet for long. This rejection sends a message. The Assembly is watching. They want the best for the people, they say. And they defended that position without apology.
You see, in the end, it’s about service. Or at least that’s the story they telling. Rivers State deserves leaders who fit the roles. Square pegs in square holes. Nothing less.
