Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday began the screening of commissioner nominees forwarded by Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, as part of efforts to reconstitute the State Executive Council.
Nine nominees arrived at the Assembly complex at about 10 a.m. for the confirmation exercise. Those screened include Datonye Alasia, Tonye Bellgam, Temple Nwofor, Peters Nwagor, Mrs. Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, Lekue Kenneth, Otonye TKD Amachree and Amairigha Hart.
During the session, each nominee took turns at the podium to introduce themselves and respond to questions from lawmakers as part of the constitutional process required before confirmation. The screening exercise was broadcast live on Arise TV and monitored by several news platforms.
Governor Fubara had earlier transmitted the list of nominees to the Assembly on March 5, 2026, following the dissolution of the State Executive Council as part of steps to reorganise his administration.
Read Also:
- Breaking: Rivers Assembly to continue impeachment process against Governor Fubara, Deputy
- Rivers assembly denies withdrawal of impeachment proceedings against Gov. Fubara, deputy
- Breaking News: Rivers Assembly begins impeachment process against Governor Fubara, Deputy Oduh amid escalating political crisis
Ahead of the exercise, the Assembly issued a formal notice directing the nominees to submit forty copies of their curriculum vitae, photocopies of credentials and evidence of tax compliance to facilitate the screening and confirmation process. The directive was contained in a notice signed by the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, dated March 3, 2026.
The screening marks another step in the restoration of full democratic governance in Rivers State after Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria, lifted the six-month state of emergency in the state on September 17, 2025.
The emergency rule, which began on March 18, 2025, led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy and the state legislature amid a prolonged political crisis in the state.
The crisis was linked to a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, over the control of the state’s political structure.
With the screening of commissioner nominees now underway, political observers say the process will determine how quickly the Rivers State government can fully stabilise its executive administration following months of political tension.
