The political turmoil in Rivers State has intensified, with the State House of Assembly pushing for the removal of all commissioners and political appointees not screened by Speaker Martins Amaewhule.

Amaewhule, in a letter addressed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, insisted that all 19 commissioners and other appointees who had not undergone screening should be removed.

He demanded that a fresh list of nominees be forwarded to the Assembly within 48 hours, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

The Speaker specifically criticized the governor for failing to submit Dagogo Iboroma’s name for screening as Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, describing it as a constitutional violation.

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But the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Sydney Tambari has dismissed the lawmakers’ demands, stating that all appointees had already been screened by former Speaker Edison Ehie, who was recognized by the courts as the legitimate Speaker at the time.

He stressed that after Ehie’s resignation, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo continued the process and confirmed additional nominees.

Tambari accused the lawmakers of overstepping their authority and attempting to destabilize the state, asserting that the governor had no obligation to submit a new list.

He argued that the Supreme Court ruling referenced by the lawmakers only addressed the 2024 budget and did not grant them the power to remove commissioners or appointees.

As the standoff escalates, the power struggle between the governor and the lawmakers continues to raise political tensions in the state.

Crediblenewsng.com