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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Fubara’s five-man cabinet sparks fresh concerns in Rivers

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is governing with only five commissioners, months after a political truce.
  • Key ministries like Health, Justice, and Information remain without substantive political heads, raising concerns about governance.
  • Stakeholders worry about budget defense and implementation, especially with the absence of commissioners in crucial sectors.

Months after a political truce was declared in Rivers State, the state government continues to operate with a skeletal structure, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and only five commissioners. This situation has sparked fresh concerns among stakeholders regarding the functionality of governance.

The South-South Youths Initiative has watched with keen interest the recent declarations by all political parties and stakeholders that there is peace in Rivers State.

— Saviour ImeabeNational President of the South-South Youths Initiative, commenting on the state's political situation.

Of the nine commissioner-nominees initially sent to the House by the governor, four were rejected. The five who were cleared and sworn in on March 9, 2026, now oversee ministries. However, several key portfolios, including Health, Justice/Attorney-General, Environment, Sports, Works, and Information and Communications, remain without political leadership. These ministries are currently managed by permanent secretaries, some in acting capacities, despite the recent inauguration of 13 new permanent secretaries by the governor.

While we welcome this claim and pray that it is genuine and lasting, we are concerned that governance in the state is still being run with only five commissioners.

— Saviour ImeabeNational President of the South-South Youths Initiative, expressing concern over the limited number of commissioners.

The dissolution of the previous cabinet on February 12, 2026, was part of a reconciliation effort between Governor Fubara and his political godfather, Nyesom Wike. The subsequent nomination and partial confirmation process has left a significant gap in the state's executive council. The absence of an official government spokesman and an Attorney-General nearly five months after the cabinet's dissolution is a particular point of concern.

Peace that does not translate into functional government is peace in name only.

— Saviour ImeabeNational President of the South-South Youths Initiative, emphasizing the need for effective governance.

With the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House on July 10, stakeholders are anxious about the processes of budget defense and implementation. The South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI) has voiced its concerns, stating that peace without functional governance is an illusion. "Peace that does not translate into functional government is peace in name only," said SSYI National President Saviour Imeabe, questioning how five commissioners can effectively supervise government functions across the state's 23 local government areas.

Who will implement t

— Saviour ImeabeNational President of the South-South Youths Initiative, questioning the capacity of the current administration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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