By Our Correspondent
Following the political tension in Rivers State between a former governor of the state and current Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike and his former political protege and current governor of the state, Simnilaye Fubara, there has been a mass resignation within the government as five commissioners tendered their resignations this week citing ‘toxic’ work environment as reasons for their action.
Five of the commissioners who resigned from their posts are seen as pro- Wike.
Five pro-Wike commissioners who quit their respective positions from Fubara’s cabinet Tuesday are:
In a letter addressed to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioners said their resignation is with immediate effect.
Prof. Mmom cited toxic environment as part of his reasons for resignation. According to him: “I write to formally tender my resignation as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council as the Honourable Commissioner for Education with effect from today the 15th day of May,2024.
“It is a truism that a calm, safe and friendly environment would stimulate efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity. It is however unfortunate to note that my current work space has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me realize my set targets for the Education sector in the State.
“There is loss of trust, animosity and sharp division among colleagues in the same cabinet which is unhealthy and very unfortunate. I want to thank Your Excellency for the opportunity to serve in your cabinet and wish your administration well”.
The resignation of the other four appear to take similar tone, with all alluding to ‘unconducive’ working environment as reasons for leaving.
As the political crisis lingers, political watchers and Nigerians are hoping that the matter will be resolved soon in a manner that will end up reshaping the political landscape of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
In a letter addressed to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioners said their resignation is with immediate effect.
Mmom
Prof. Mmom cited toxic environment as part of his reasons for resignation. According to him: “I write to formally tender my resignation as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council as the Honourable Commissioner for Education with effect from today the 15th day of May,2024.
“It is a truism that a calm, safe and friendly environment would stimulate efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity. It is however unfortunate to note that my current work space has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me realize my set targets for the Education sector in the State.
“There is loss of trust, animosity and sharp division among colleagues in the same cabinet which is unhealthy and very unfortunate. I want to thank Your Excellency for the opportunity to serve in your cabinet and wish your administration well”.
Ben-Chioma
On his own part, the Commissioner for Environment, Ben-Chioma, cited political crisis in the state as his reason for resignation
Among those who quit their jobs are: commissioner of education in Rivers State, Chinedu Mmom, a loyalist of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has resigned from Governor Sim Fubara’s cabinet.
Mmom, in a letter dated May 15 and addressed to Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, the commissioner said his current workspace has become “toxic.”
The commissioner added that there is “loss of trust and animosity” in the cabinet which he considers unhealthy.
He stated, “It is a truism that a calm, safe and friendly environment would stimulate efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity.
“It is however unfortunate to note that my current workspace has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me realise my set targets for the education sector in the state.
“There is loss of trust, animosity and sharp division among colleagues in the same cabinet which is unhealthy and very unfortunate.”
Mmom is the third reappointed commissioner to resign from Fubara’s cabinet in recent weeks after Zacchaeus Adangor and Isaac Kamalu.
Recall that in April, Fubara redeployed Adangor, attorney-general and commissioner for justice, to the ministry of special duties.
Kamalu, commissioner for finance, was redeployed to the ministry of employment generation and economic empowerment.
The trio had resigned their positions following the political feud between Wike and Fubara in December 2023.
They were reappointed after a peace deal between Wike and Fubara, which was facilitated by President Bola Tinubu.
He stated, “It is a truism that a calm, safe and friendly environment would stimulate efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity.
“It is however unfortunate to note that my current workspace has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me realise my set targets for the education sector in the state.
“There is loss of trust, animosity and sharp division among colleagues in the same cabinet which is unhealthy and very unfortunate.”
Mmom is the third reappointed commissioner to resign from Fubara’s cabinet in recent weeks after Zacchaeus Adangor and Isaac Kamalu.
Recall that in April, Fubara redeployed Adangor, attorney-general and commissioner for justice, to the ministry of special duties.
Kamalu, commissioner for finance, was redeployed to the ministry of employment generation and economic empowerment.
The trio had resigned their positions following the political feud between Wike and Fubara in December 2023.
They were reappointed after a peace deal between Wike and Fubara, which was facilitated by President Bola Tinubu.