The Nigerian state of Rivers recently found itself embroiled in a controversy as rumors spread about the alleged sacking of key officials, including the Chief Judge and Chief of Staff. In this article, we will delve into the details surrounding the controversy, examine the statements made by the state’s governor, Nyesom Wike, and analyze the implications of this incident for the state’s politics and administration.
The Rivers state government has denied reports in some national dailies and other social media platforms about the sacking of the state chief judge and Chief of Staff of Government House, among others.
After Monday’s crisis broke out in the state House of Assembly, there was the accusation of the sack.
The sack allegation followed the crisis that erupted in the state House of Assembly on Monday, which led to a faction of the 32-man Assembly presided over by the embattled Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, signing a notice of impeachment on Governor Siminalaye Fubara.
Amidst the confusion and tension that ensued, some media platforms alleged that the chief judge of the state, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, the Chief of Staff of Government House, Chidi Amadi, and the 23 local government chairmen were sacked by the governor.
Debunking the allegations on Tuesday, the state government, through the commissioner for information and communications, Joe Johnson, admitted that there had been unfounded reports making the rounds on various media platforms about Governor Fubara sacking certain categories of his aides and local council chairmen.
“This is to clarify that His Excellency has not given me such a directive (to announce their sack) as the official spokesman of the state government as of today, Tuesday, October 31, 2023”, Johnson noted in a statement he signed in Port Harcourt.
“Our dear governor is a technocrat with a robust civil service background, kind-hearted, and a very humane person who does things according to laid-down rules and with the fear of God.
“We therefore ask Rivers people and the general public to jettison such unconfirmed reports as the public will be properly informed of who may have been removed by His Excellency at the appropriate time.
“It is pertinent to note that, as the Commissioner for Information and Communication, I shall keep the public updated on events in due course”, the statement said.
