7 Rivers Commissioners Resign, Cite Toxic Work Atmosphere

A total of seven commissioners have so far resigned from the Rivers State Executive Council, saying they could no longer work in an atmosphere they considered too toxic for them.
The latest resignations came from Prof. Chinedu Mmom (Education), Mrs. Inime Aguma (Social Welfare), Gift Worlu (Housing), Austin Ben-Chioma (Environment), and Jacobson Nbina (Transport).
About a week earlier, two commissioners, Isaac Kamalu (Finance) and Zaccheaus Adangor (Justice) had tendered their resignations after rejecting their reassignment to employment generation and special duties respectively.
The erstwhile commissioner for works, Alabo Dax-Kelly and Emeka Woke had resigned to take up federal appointments. E, the Commissioner for their appointments Government of Rivers State of Nigeria
All the former commissioners were loyalists and nominees of the Minister of the FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, who is now at daggers drawn with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Fubara had before the gale of resignations lamented that he had to work with commissioners that worked against the interest of his government.
The commissioners, who had earlier resigned their appointments in December 2023, were re-nominated after President Bola Tinubu intervened to resolve the political difference between Governor Fubara and Chief Wike.
But the resolution failed to bring about peace as Fubara and Wike continued to attack each other in the media, while majority members of the house of assembly that were loyal to Wike kept antagonizing the governor.
An excerpt from the letter of Prof. Mmom read, “It is a truism that a calm, safe and friendly environment would stimulate efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity. It is however unfortunate to note that my current work space has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me realize my set targets for the Education sector in the state. There is loss of trust, animosity and sharp division among colleagues in the same cabinet which is unhealthy and very unfortunate.”