Lawmakers at the Rivers State House of Assembly have raised concerns over recent appointments made by Governor Simnalayi Fubara, terming them unconstitutional.
The Assembly, during its 100th legislative sitting on January 29, specifically criticized the appointment of Goodlife Ben as the acting chairman of the Local Government Service Commission.
The legislative body also expressed dissatisfaction with the appointments of Ine Briggs as the acting Director-General of the Bureau for Public Procurement and Tonte Davies as the acting Administrator of the New Cities Development Authority.
Majority Leader Major Jack reportedly drew attention to a state government circular announcing these appointments during the plenary.
In a statement signed by the special adviser, media, to the speaker, Martin Wachukwu, it was revealed that lawmakers unanimously voiced their displeasure, citing violations of the state’s existing laws. Members, in their comments, referenced specific sections and accused the governor of breaching the state’s laws.
House Speaker Martin Chike Amaewhule condemned the decision to appoint an acting administrator for the New Cities Development Authority, noting that such a body was unknown to any legislation.
He further criticized the appointment of an acting chairman for the Local Government Service Commission and an acting Director-General for the Bureau for Public Procurement, deeming them inconsistent with the relevant establishment laws.
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Amaewhule questioned whether Governor Fubara intentionally violated existing laws and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, terming such actions as misconduct. All lawmakers reportedly voted against the governor’s appointments and resolved to write to Fubara, highlighting the breaches.
The lawmakers specifically pointed to Section 44(3) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and Section 5(1) of the Rivers State Public Procurement Law No. 4 of 2008, seeking redress for what they deemed unconstitutional appointments.