Why We Rejected Redeployment, Resigned From Fubara’s Cabinet – Pro-Wike Commissioners

Prof. Adangor and Kamalu

PORT HARCOURT – Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor and his counterpart, Isaac Kamalu, Commissioner for Finance, have explained why they resigned their appointments after rejecting their redeployment to other ministries at the behest of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Governor Fubara had on Monday ordered a minor cabinet reshuffle, transferring Adangor to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office) while Kamalu was moved to the Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment.

The die-hard loyalists of Wike service in the administration of Fubara, who did not take the Governor’s directive in good fate, expressed their displeasure by tendering their resignations.

Prof. Adangor whose resignation was contained in a letter titled, ‘Cabinet Reshufflement: Notice of rejection of redeployment and resignation from the Rivers State Executive Council’, added that his resignation took effect from April 24, 2024.

The letter, dated April 24, 2024 was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, accusing Governor Fubara of willfully interfering in his duties as the Attorney-General for the State.

Adangor explained, “My attention has been drawn to your letter dated 23rd April, 2024 and widely circulated on social media, whereby I was deployed to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office).

“Further to your referenced letter, I hereby give you notice of my rejection of the said redeployment and resignation from Rivers State Executive Council with effect from 24th April, 2024.

“I wish to state for the record, that I am no longer willing to continue to serve in the administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, in any capacity whatsoever.

Explaining further, he said, “It is important to mention that the governor of Rivers State, in the past couple of weeks willfully interfered with the performance of my duties as Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State, by directing me not to defend, oppose or appear in suits instituted against the Honourable Attorney-General and Government of Rivers State by persons admittedly hired and sponsored by the Government of Rivers State.

“That having served the government and people of Rivers State dutifully as member of the Rivers State Executive Council for the past five years, it has become imperative for me to quit the administration in order to preserve my reputation.

“I wish the administration of His Excellency well.”

Meanwhile, the former Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, faulted Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s claim of raising the state’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by N27 billion.

Kamalu, in his resignation letter dated April 24 and addressed to the Governor through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, titled ‘Re: Notice Of Resignation As Commissioner and Member of the Rivers State Executive Council’ explained that it was difficult for him to continue offering his quota optimally in an atmosphere of doubt and bitterness.

He noted that he had since given his best to the state from the previous administration where he served as the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning and later Commissioner for Finance, a position he had retained under Fubara.

Kamalu explained, “In the course of official engagements I have reiterated the need for this peace and the fact we all are willing and determined to work for this.

“It is very difficult to deliver good governance where there is acrimony and discord. It is not the point of service that is important, but the climate.

“Our present circumstance makes service delivery extremely challenging. I still hold the belief that it is never too late for peace.

He further explained, “In view of the above, I find it difficult to accept the redeployment. I do not accept it. I reject it and convey to you my immediate resignation as Commissioner and Member of the Rivers State Executive Council with effect from the date of this letter.

“While praying that the Good Lord grants us peace, I thank you for the opportunity and assure you the assurances of my esteemed regards.”

Recall that both commissioners had previously resigned their appointments in December 2023 in the heat of the political crisis rocking the state caused by the rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The duo were among seven other commissioners who resigned their positions, but were later reinstated in implementing stipulations of the peace resolution brokered by President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa Abuja in December last year.