The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Monday, dropped four of the nine commissioner-nominees, including a professor, submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara for screening and confirmation.
The House, however, cleared five nominees as commissioners-designate after a rigorous screening process that lasted over two hours.
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who presided over plenary on Monday, disclosed this in his summation after listening to motions moved and seconded by his colleagues concerning the nominees.
Amaewhule said the four nominees were dropped due to poor performance during the screening and controversies, including petitions surrounding their nominations.
“Distinguished colleagues, we have nine nominees forwarded to this Assembly by the governor. At the end of the screening exercise, the House has confirmed five of them.
“And four of them, the House has chosen to take a deep breath, given their poor performance and controversies surrounding their documents.
“They have not been able to show this august assembly that they are prepared to serve Rivers State or that they are able.
“And we feel that they are not square pegs in square holes for the offices they intend to occupy in the Rivers State Executive Council.
“On that note, distinguished colleagues, I thank you for your contributions. With your leave and in line with our rules, I will forward the resolution of this august assembly to the governor so that he can take necessary steps in the interest of Rivers State,” he said.
After putting the question to the House to write a letter to the governor, the Speaker added:
“On that note, I’m going to forward a letter to the governor and ask him to swear in five of the nominees as soon as possible.”
Those whose nominations were rejected include Prof Datonye Alasia, Tamuno Williams, Otonye Amachree, and Charity Deemua.
Others cleared by the lawmakers are Tonye Belgam, Prof Temple Nwafor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amarigha Edward-Hart.
Earlier, one of the rejected nominees, Deemua, while responding to a question from Burabari Loolo concerning inconsistencies in her tax clearance, said the document did not show any update of tax payment since December 31, 2018, and asked if she was exempted from paying tax within the period, explaining she is a politician and had no formal job.
Amaewhule interjected: “Madam, you have not been paying tax since 2018?”
Responding, Deemua said, “As I said before, I’m a politician. We don’t have an office. I don’t have work. Mr Speaker, I think tax is generated from your income.”
Amaewhule pressed further: “So politicians don’t pay tax? Have you not had any income since 2018 to date? Madam, you’re under oath; you’ve not had any income from 2018 to 2026. That is what you’re telling Rivers people?”
