FUBARA DISSOLVES RIVERS CABINET, APPOINTS NEW CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

FUBARA DISSOLVES RIVERS CABINET, APPOINTS NEW CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the entire State Executive Council with immediate effect and appointed a new Chief Press Secretary, marking a major shake‑up in the state’s political leadership. The sweeping action was announced on Thursday evening in a government statement issued from Port Harcourt. In a special government announcement signed by Onwuka Nzeshi, the newly appointed Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Governor Fubara declared the immediate dissolution of the Rivers State Executive Council Nigeria’s equivalent of a state cabinet. All commissioners and special advisers are to hand over their duties to permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their ministries and agencies with immediate effect. The statement expressed the governor’s gratitude to outgoing officials, wishing them success in their future endeavours. The dissolution effectively ends the tenure of serving political appointees who managed key ministries in the oil‑rich state. As part of the announcement, Governor Fubara appointed Mr. Onwuka Nzeshi as his new Chief Press Secretary, succeeding Nelson Chukwudi, who was relieved of his duties earlier this week. No official reason was given for Chukwudi’s removal. The appointment of Nzeshi signalled the start of a broader administrative reset, with the government communicating the dissolution through his office. Political analysts interpret the dissolution as part of a strategic political reset after months of internal tensions within Rivers State’s political landscape. Recent interventions including a reconciliation meeting facilitated by President Bola Tinubu with key state actors such as Fubara and former governor Nyesom Wike have heightened expectations of a new political alignment in the state. The rapprochement came after prolonged disagreements between factions once united under Rivers State’s dominant political party, with tensions spilling into governance challenges. The cabinet dissolution could clear the way for a more inclusive executive team, reflecting the recent peace accord among rival leaders.
With the executive council now dissolved, observers say the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule will soon begin screening and confirming a fresh list of commissioner nominees to populate a new cabinet once submitted by the governor. Insiders report that, under the terms of the peace process, Fubara may include loyalists from both sides of the political divide potentially integrating supporters of his predecessor, Minister Nyesom Wike as part of efforts to sustain political stability. While the full list of new nominees has not yet been made public, political watchers expect the fresh appointments to reflect a broader coalition aimed at easing longstanding rivalries and strengthening governance.
The dissolution of the Rivers State cabinet a central institution in state governance signals a major administrative reset and comes at a critical juncture in the state’s evolving political dynamics. The action is likely to influence: Executive leadership direction in Rivers State, Relations between the state government and political pace of implementation of policies affecting infrastructure, security, and public services. Observers note that a refreshed cabinet, aligned with recent political settlements, could help restore administrative focus and support efforts to de‑escalate internal tensions that have periodically disrupted governance.