A potential governance crisis is emerging in Rivers State as the House of Assembly voices growing concern over Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s continued delay in submitting names of commissioner nominees for screening.

Lawmakers raised the issue during Friday’s plenary session, highlighting the urgency for functional leadership across key ministries.

Following the suspension of emergency rule in September 2025, the Assembly had previously urged the governor to present a list of commissioner nominees to ensure effective administration.

Since the political crisis, Fubara has dismissed all commissioners appointed during the period, citing their lack of approval by the constitutionally recognized Assembly, as affirmed by a Supreme Court ruling.

However, he retained previously screened and approved commissioners, with some reassigned to other ministries.

Currently, several critical ministries, including Education and Communication, operate without appointed commissioners, leaving permanent secretaries to manage essential functions.

The governor has yet to provide any explanation for the delay.

The Assembly has adjourned plenary to Monday, January 26, 2026, signaling possible delays in the presentation of the 2026 budget, originally expected in December 2025.

Recent developments suggest that the fragile peace between Governor Fubara and the House may be unraveling.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Ikuinyi O. Amaewhule, criticized the deteriorating state of public schools, blaming the governor for neglecting the sector despite repeated warnings from the Assembly.

He described the situation as “a sad commentary” on the state of education in Rivers, calling for urgent intervention.

Amaewhule highlighted the severe shortage of teachers in public schools and accused the government of abandoning the 10,000-job recruitment initiative started under the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike.

“When it is time for protest, funds are available, but when it is time to employ teachers, there is nothing,” he lamented.

He added, “How can anyone believe that in 2025, a teacher will manage two classrooms under one roof?” He stressed that the House would not allow such indifference to continue.

The Speaker also raised questions about the alleged over N600 billion left in state coffers by the former Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, questioning why these funds have not been deployed to improve public education.

In response, Governor Fubara stated that employment in the state would be based on actual needs rather than political considerations.

During a meeting with the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council on Monday, he noted that the public school system was already in poor condition before he took office and assured that the 2026 budget would prioritize education.

Fubara further approved the formal employment of 1,000 teachers who completed the recruitment process in 2023 but had yet to receive appointment letters.

However, he did not comment on the status of funds reportedly left by Ibas.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Sylvester Ezeokenwa, has clarified that only the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has the authority to decide whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be formally adopted for the 2027 elections.

Earlier this year, during a visit to Anambra State, Governor Charles Soludo, APGA’s sole elected governor, reiterated the party’s longstanding policy of supporting the party controlling the federal government.

Soludo reaffirmed his support for Tinubu, citing their 22-year friendship and the administration’s economic reforms as reasons for his backing.

Despite speculation about opposition governors, mainly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), endorsing Tinubu or defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ezeokenwa emphasized that any formal adoption for 2027 would be a collective NEC decision.

“Adopting the president is a decision that the NEC of the party will make at the appropriate time. For now, we support the president to continue his mandate to the people of Nigeria,” Ezeokenwa said.

The APGA chairman also dismissed rumors that Governor Soludo might defect to the APC, asserting that the governor remains firmly committed to APGA.

He noted that Soludo’s working relationship with President Tinubu is closer than that of many governors within his own party.

“In APGA, we are progressives, and the president is also a progressive. Both leaders have collaborated effectively, and Governor Soludo remains loyal to the party under which he was elected,” Ezeokenwa added.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sylvester Ezeokenwa, has dismissed speculation that Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo might defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite his close friendship with President Bola Tinubu and advocacy for progressives working together.

Ezeokenwa told journalists in Abuja that it makes little sense for parties with similar ideological leanings to be in conflict at the polls.

He noted that Soludo’s recent landslide victory in the gubernatorial election solidifies APGA’s control in Anambra State, and the governor will remain in the party to continue supporting APC where appropriate.

Highlighting Soludo’s performance at the polls, Ezeokenwa said the governor secured 77% of votes, winning in 319 out of 326 wards, a record surpassing that of previous APGA governors in the state.

He described the result as an “A” for Soludo, reflecting both his popularity and APGA’s dominance in the region.

The APGA chairman also praised President Tinubu for supporting the idea of state policing, saying it enables governors to truly act as chief security officers in their states.

Responding to questions about Abia State Governor Alex Chioma Otti potentially joining APGA for his second-term election, Ezeokenwa welcomed him, describing such a move as a “homecoming” rather than a defection.

He stressed that while APGA remains open to new members, the party will ensure ideological alignment and will not become a vehicle for opportunistic political migrations.

The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a divided judgment in the case instituted by the Osun State Attorney General against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), challenging the Federal Government’s alleged unlawful seizure of funds meant for local government councils.

In a majority decision of six to one, the court struck out the suit, ruling that the Osun Attorney General lacked the legal standing to file the action on behalf of the state’s 30 local government councils.

According to the apex court, only constitutionally elected and sworn-in local government officials have the legal right to institute or defend actions relating to their administration and finances.

Despite dismissing the suit, the Supreme Court declared that the Federal Government’s withholding of local government allocations was unconstitutional, describing it as a “grave violation” of the 1999 Constitution and of the court’s earlier pronouncements affirming financial autonomy for local councils.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris held that the Federal Government had acted improperly and urged immediate compliance with constitutional provisions mandating the direct release of funds to local government accounts.

He also dismissed the contempt allegations raised by the AGF against Osun State, insisting that it was, in fact, the Federal Government that stood in violation of the Constitution by refusing to disburse the funds.

Justice Idris further pointed out that there was no documentation showing that Osun’s Attorney General had been explicitly authorised by the local councils to initiate the suit.

In a lone dissent, Justice Emmanuel Agim argued that the Osun Attorney General had the right to bring the matter before the court.

He criticised the Federal Government’s withholding of funds, warning that such conduct risks undermining local governance across the country.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musibau Adetunbi, counsel to the Osun Attorney General, represented the state throughout the proceedings.