Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has dismissed all 18 commissioners in his cabinet in a sweeping restructuring move that political analysts say signals a decisive break from the influence of former Governor Nyesom Wike and the beginning of a fully independent governance agenda.
The mass dismissal, announced in a terse government statement released late on a Tuesday evening, took many of the affected commissioners by surprise. Several were reportedly contacted by phone rather than receiving formal letters before the announcement became public.
Governor Fubara, speaking at a press briefing the following morning, said the cabinet reshuffle was necessary to build a team fully aligned with the vision and priorities of his administration, adding that he was grateful for the service of those who had served in his first cabinet.
Political observers in Port Harcourt said the move consolidates Fubara power after a turbulent period of political conflict with Wike -- who now serves as Federal Capital Territory Minister -- that saw impeachment threats, court injunctions, and a period of legislative paralysis in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
New cabinet appointments are expected within the next two weeks. Sources within the Government House suggest the incoming cabinet will be notably younger and will include a higher proportion of technocrats drawn from the private sector and civil society rather than career politicians.
