PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — The political turmoil in Rivers State shows no signs of abating, with five more commissioners exiting Governor Siminalayi Fubara‘s cabinet.
The recent resignations, communicated on Wednesday, May 15, 2025, are said to be aligned with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), further expose the ongoing feud between the two political figures.
The commissioners who resigned include Chinedu Mmom from the Ministry of Education; Gift Worlu of the Ministry of Housing; Jacobson Nbina of the Ministry of Transport; Inime Aguma, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation; and Austin Ben-Chioma, who held the portfolio for Environment.
Each cited “workplace hostility” and political unrest as reasons for their departure.
According to their resignation statements, Mmom and Worlu described the working environment as toxic.
Ben-Chioma pointed to the “political crisis befalling our dear Rivers State and other personal reasons” as his rationale for leaving.
Nbina mentioned an “unresolved political crisis” as his motive.
These exits are part of a broader pattern of instability within Governor Fubara’s administration.
In December, a similar mass resignation occurred, which included some of the same officials. They were later reinstated after an intervention by President Bola Tinubu, suggesting federal concern over the stability of state governance.
This month’s earlier resignations of three other commissioners — Zacchaeus Adangor from the Ministry of Justice, Emeka Woke from Special Projects, and Alabo George-Kelly from Works — were reportedly influenced by Governor Fubara’s decisions to probe the administration of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
All three, like those who resigned this week, were significant figures in Wike’s tenure.
Political analysts suggest that the continuing resignations could be a strategic move by allies of Wike to destabilise the Fubara administration, which has been attempting to distance itself from the past government’s policies and actions.
The political landscape in Rivers State remains fraught as both camps appear entrenched in their positions, affecting governance and public service continuity.
