Former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, emphasized that it is logical for the five commissioners loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to resign if they cannot pledge their loyalty to Governor Sim Fubara. Semenitari made this statement in an interview with Arise Television on Friday.
Earlier, five commissioners, namely Jacobson Nbina (Transport), Inime Aguma (Social Welfare and Rehabilitation), Gift Worlu (Housing), Prof. Chinedu Mmom (Education), and Austen Ben-Chioma (Environment), resigned from Governor Fubara’s Cabinet. These commissioners, loyal to Wike, had previously left and returned to the cabinet after President Bola Tinubu attempted to broker peace between Fubara and Wike.
Semenitari stated, “For the commissioners who resigned, it only makes sense that if you don’t agree with a man, you don’t work with him because you serve at the pleasure of your principal. If I appoint you commissioner, your loyalty should be to me because you serve at my pleasure.”
She praised Governor Fubara for his achievements within his first year in office, noting his preference for quietly fulfilling his duties rather than seeking public acclaim. She stressed the constitutional mandate that only one governor should govern at a time, without interference.
“Sometimes, you don’t want to sound like you are taking sides, yet it is important. There can only be one governor of a state at a time. It would be crazy if we had to have three governors. That is not what our constitution says, so, if there is one governor, let the governor govern. That would be the position of any right-thinking person,” she said.
Semenitari highlighted several accomplishments of Governor Fubara’s administration:
- Loans provided to nearly four thousand small and medium businesses, with 52% of recipients being women.
- Employment of one thousand doctors to address gaps in the healthcare system.
- Promotion of civil servants who had not been promoted in the last 10-12 years.
- Completion and payment for thirty-nine projects initiated by the previous administration.
- Commissioning of roads started and finished by the current administration, with specific mention of the Emohua road which required substantial additional funding.
She concluded by emphasizing that these achievements reflect Governor Fubara’s dedication to his responsibilities rather than seeking applause.
