The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Monday, dropped four of the nine commissioner-nominees, including a professor, submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara for screening and confirmation.

The House, however, cleared five nominees as commissioners-designate after a rigorous screening process that lasted over two hours.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who presided over plenary on Monday, disclosed this in his summation after listening to motions moved and seconded by his colleagues concerning the nominees.

Amaewhule said the four nominees were dropped due to poor performance during the screening and controversies, including petitions surrounding their nominations.

“Distinguished colleagues, we have nine nominees forwarded to this Assembly by the governor. At the end of the screening exercise, the House has confirmed five of them.

“And four of them, the House has chosen to take a deep breath, given their poor performance and controversies surrounding their documents.

“They have not been able to show this august assembly that they are prepared to serve Rivers State or that they are able.

“And we feel that they are not square pegs in square holes for the offices they intend to occupy in the Rivers State Executive Council.

“On that note, distinguished colleagues, I thank you for your contributions. With your leave and in line with our rules, I will forward the resolution of this august assembly to the governor so that he can take necessary steps in the interest of Rivers State,” he said.

After putting the question to the House to write a letter to the governor, the Speaker added:

“On that note, I’m going to forward a letter to the governor and ask him to swear in five of the nominees as soon as possible.”

Those whose nominations were rejected include Prof Datonye Alasia, Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree, and Charity Deemua.

Others cleared by the lawmakers are Tonye Belgam, Prof Temple Nwafor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amarigha Edward-Hart.

Earlier, one of the rejected nominees, Deemua, while responding to a question from Burabari Loolo concerning inconsistencies in her tax clearance, said the document did not show any update of tax payment since December 31, 2018, and asked if she was exempted from paying tax within the period, explaining she is a politician and had no formal job.

Amaewhule interjected: “Madam, you have not been paying tax since 2018?”

Responding, Deemua said, “As I said before, I’m a politician. We don’t have an office. I don’t have work. Mr Speaker, I think tax is generated from your income.”

Amaewhule pressed further: “So politicians don’t pay tax? Have you not had any income since 2018 to date? Madam, you’re under oath; you’ve not had any income from 2018 to 2026. That is what you’re telling Rivers people?”

Deemua explained she was a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission and had served briefly as a local government caretaker committee member in 2025 for three months.

The Speaker challenged her: “Were you not paid a salary when you were a caretaker committee member?”

Deemua responded: “We were paid, but I protest, Mr Speaker, the payment was not an income.”

Amaewhule countered: “But you said you have not had any income from 2018 till date, so no tax clearance. That is what you’re telling Rivers people? Madam, that is not nice. You’re misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly.”

In a face-saving move, the nominee apologised.

Another development saw the House Leader, Major Jack, ask commissioner-nominee, Williams, to recite the second stanza of the national anthem, which he could not, only reciting the first stanza.

Similarly, the House Committee Chairman on Information, Complaints, and Petitions, Dr Enemi George, informed the House of over 10 petitions against nominee Amachree, adding that he received another electronic petition during the screening.

The Speaker said: “Distinguished colleagues, let me thank all of you for your participation in this screening session. You were elected to do this job. It is our duty to get the best for Rivers people, which is why questions were asked and the nominees answered.”

Jack moved a motion for the nominees to take leave of the chamber, seconded by Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart.

The House then adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly, in a statement issued after Monday’s plenary, confirmed the screening of the five nominees.

The statement from Martin Wachukwu, media aide to the Speaker, read: “In sequel to the letter read on the floor of the House last Thursday by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, conveying the message of Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara on the screening and confirmation of commissioner-nominees forwarded to the House pursuant to Section 192 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended; the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Monday, at its 63rd legislative sitting, screened and confirmed the nomination of Mr Tonye Belgam, Dr Peters Nwagor, Prof Temple Nwofor, Mr Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amarigha Edward-Hart as commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council.

“While the House rejected the nomination of Prof Datonye Alasia, Mrs Charity Deemua, Otonye T.K.D. Amachree, and Tamuno Williams, Esq.

“Screening of the nominees involved scrutiny of their academic qualifications, work history, tax compliance, petitions against some of them, and other matters.”

The Speaker said the essence of the legislative scrutiny was to ensure that Rivers State got the best hands to assist the government in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

The House directed the Clerk to transmit the resolution affirming the confirmation of the five nominees to the governor. (PUNCH)

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