Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has dissolved the State Executive Council and relieved all commissioners and special advisers of their appointments with immediate effect, in a dramatic reshuffle of the state’s executive arm.
The announcement was made on Thursday in a Government Special Announcement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Onwuka Nzeshi.
According to the statement, Governor Fubara directed that all outgoing commissioners and special advisers must hand over their duties to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries immediately.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council,” the announcement read.
"His Excellency further expresses his deepest appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Council, wishing them the best in their future endeavours.”
As part of the reshuffle, Mr. Nzeshi was appointed the new Chief Press Secretary.
The governor’s former Chief Press Coordinator, Nelson Chukwudi, was relieved of his duties, although the announcement did not provide reasons for his removal.
Political observers say the dissolution may be linked to recent efforts to resolve longstanding political tensions in Rivers State between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The reconciliation efforts were reportedly brokered by President Bola Tinubu, with both leaders meeting in Abuja in a bid to bring an end to months of political strife that have affected governance in the oil-rich state.
This marks the third time the President has intervened in the political crisis involving Fubara and his allies, according to political analysts.
Following the dissolution, Governor Fubara is expected to submit a fresh list of nominees for commissioner positions to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
Analysts believe this move could help reset the state’s executive team and reflect a broader political agreement between competing interests within the ruling party.
As of now, no official list of new appointees has been released.
