The Rivers State government has said it is committed to upholding a Federal High Court order maintaining the status quo until February 28 on the re-appointment of nine former commissioners.
Recall that the commissioner willingly resigned in December 2023 in the heat of political tension in the state.
The Commissioner of Information in the state, Joe Johnson, who addressed public concerns on the recent re-screening of the commissioners, said the action respects both the Abuja agreement and the court order.
Speaking on Real Talk on Wednesday, a program on Today 95.1 FM, the Commissioner said: “The Assembly didn’t develop it on their own, it was something that we sent. It was not forged.
“The governor had an eight-point agenda with His Excellency the President, and that was part of the decision taken in that auspicious moment. So, it would be wrong to begin to lie to Rivers people.
“We are bent on doing everything without compromising the integrity of the state. If you listen to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, he also read that he got a letter from the Governor. He wouldn’t be lying.
“If you will recall, the conflicting judgments that we have gotten from the Omotosho and the Abdul Malik courts two days ago: one gave an order, and the other one says maintain status quo.
“And then in equity, when two equities arrive, the last takes preeminence.
“We are obedient to the law; we are a government that is governed by the Rule of Law. If the law says maintain status quo, it means remain where you are until 28 of February.”
The commissioners, who resigned amid the political turmoil, were re-screened on January 17 but remain uninaugurated. Meanwhile, 16 new Permanent Secretaries were recently sworn in on January 16 to handle administrative duties.
The political tension in Rivers State, which began barely six months into Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s term, is allegedly due to control of the political structure in the state.
