Concerns are growing over governance in Rivers State as Governor Siminalayi Fubara continues to run his administration with only five commissioners months after the political reconciliation that ended the crisis between him and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Despite the restoration of cooperation between the executive and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, several strategic ministries remain without substantive commissioners, including Health, Justice, Environment, Works, Information and Communications, and Sports.
Governor Fubara dissolved his cabinet on February 12, 2026, in line with the reconciliation agreement. Of the nine commissioner nominees later submitted to the Assembly, only five were confirmed and sworn into office in March.
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The vacant ministries have since been overseen by permanent secretaries, leaving the state without a substantive Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as well as an official government spokesperson.
The development has attracted criticism from civil society organisations and youth groups, especially as lawmakers consider the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The South-South Youths Initiative said genuine political peace should result in functional governance, warning that five commissioners cannot effectively supervise ministries, departments and agencies across the state’s 23 local government areas.
The group urged the House of Assembly to expedite the screening and confirmation of additional commissioner nominees.
The Civil Liberties Organisation, Rivers State chapter, also described the continued operation of a skeletal cabinet as untenable, saying the absence of commissioners in key ministries raises concerns about policy coordination, accountability and effective service delivery.
It further noted that commissioners are traditionally expected to defend their ministries’ budget proposals before the legislature.
The Rivers Peace Initiative similarly called for the immediate reconstitution of the State Executive Council, arguing that reconciliation should produce stronger institutions and better governance rather than merely ending political hostilities.
The group urged Governor Fubara to forward fresh nominees to the Assembly while encouraging lawmakers to complete the confirmation process without unnecessary delay.
Although political tensions in Rivers have eased considerably following reconciliation between the rival camps, stakeholders say the formation of a full executive council remains essential to restoring normal governance and accelerating development across the state.
