The Nigeria Labour Congress chapter in Rivers State has warned to take action in response to the political unrest roiling the region.
The congress said that workers in the state were being negatively impacted by the conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and state legislators who supported the outgoing governor and minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
This was said by Alex Agwanwo, the state chairman of the NLC, following a joint labor meeting on Saturday in Port Harcourt.
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Remember that following efforts to impeach the governor, two factions surfaced in the state House of Assembly following the explosion that shook the parliamentary building on October 29, 2023.
A group of roughly twenty-six state House of Assembly members, reportedly loyal to Governor Wike, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
The factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, along with five Assembly members who supported the governor, declared the defection of the parliamentarians’ position void.
The state government ordered the state House of Assembly complex to be demolished on Wednesday due to the ongoing crisis. They stated that the building was no longer suitable for legislative functions since political thugs had attacked it in October, causing damage to certain areas.
The governor’s close assistant revealed to Saturday PUNCH that Fubara received his predecessor’s list of commissioners, special advisers, and other important aides along with their respective ministries.
The assistant, who requested anonymity, stated that Fubara was not involved in the selections because his predecessor was the only one who made the decisions about their selection and appointment.
According to the source, the fact that some commissioners resigned confirmed that Wike, who appointed Fubara as the governor’s replacement, had imposed them rather than the governor’s choice.
“Yes, the commissioners’ resignation has demonstrated that they were not appointed by the governor,” the aide said. He never nominated them. The outgoing governor sent the governor a list of commissioners and advisers along with instructions on what portfolios and posts they should hold. The governor was even given authority over security personnel and given precise orders about where to station them.
Is there a way for the governor to appoint advisers, commissioners, and other officials, and have them retire in this manner? It isn’t achievable. Remember that we have only been in office for roughly seven months. The governor’s designated commissioners refuse to resign.
The source added, “Yes, the former governor was correct to say he bought the forms for everyone,” in response to the FCT minister’s assertion that the governor and all other elected officials in Rivers State did not purchase nomination forms out of their own pockets. But, please, with what cash? You are aware of the salary of a governor as well as the expense of the Peoples Democratic Party’s nomination and expression of interest forms.
The governor will gather his staff, not spies sent to gather intelligence on the government, so let those who wish to leave.