The Rivers State House of Assembly screened nine commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, confirming five and rejecting four after hours of deliberation and questioning in Port Harcourt.
The screening session, which took place during plenary, saw the nominees appear one after another to defend their credentials, experience, and suitability for appointment into the state executive council.
Among the first to face lawmakers was Professor Datonye Alasia, a medical doctor and professor of medicine. During the session, lawmakers raised concerns about discrepancies in his birth certificate as well as the absence of a tax clearance certificate in his documents.
Responding to the concerns, Alasia explained that the issue with the birth certificate might have resulted from the doctor who originally signed it.
“The mutilation on the birth certificate may have come from the doctor who signed it at the time,” he said.
He also apologised to the Assembly over the missing tax clearance certificate.
“I sincerely apologise for not attaching the tax clearance certificate before handing over the documents to the Sergeant-at-Arms,” Alasia said.
When questioned about his contributions to Rivers State despite his international engagements, the nominee said his work in training medical professionals had benefited the state.
“As a nephrologist, I have trained many consultants and doctors in the university. That is part of my contribution to Rivers State,” he added.
However, Honourable Peter Abbey, representing Degema Constituency, argued that the nominee’s responses were not convincing.
“Based on his responses here today, I move that Professor Datonye Alasia should not be confirmed,” Abbey said.
The motion was seconded and subsequently adopted by the House, leading to the rejection of his nomination.
Another nominee, Tonye Bellgam, who holds a master’s degree in Project Management and has extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, was confirmed after lawmakers reviewed his professional background.
Similarly, Professor Temple Nwofor, a professor of civil engineering from Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area, was confirmed after addressing questions on governance and fiscal discipline.
When asked whether he would execute projects not included in the state budget, Nwofor responded:
“I don’t think I will involve myself in any project that is not contained in the budget.”
His response was well received by the lawmakers and earned him confirmation.
Dr Peters Nwagor, a mathematician and Associate Dean at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, was also confirmed after outlining his academic and administrative experience.
The screening process became tense during the appearance of Mrs Charity Deemua, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission. Lawmakers questioned inconsistencies in her birth records and the absence of tax clearance documents.
When asked about her work experience, she replied:
“I’m a politician, I don’t have work.”
Her response prompted a reaction from the Speaker, who asked:
“So politicians don’t pay tax?”
Following deliberations, the House rejected her nomination.
Tamuno Williams, a lawyer from Okrika and former local government chairman, also faced scrutiny over alleged past criticisms of the Assembly. He denied making derogatory comments about the House.
“First of all, I can never talk down on this House. My comments were based on legal jurisprudence,” Williams said.
Despite his explanation, the Assembly voted against his confirmation.
Meanwhile, Lekue Kenneth, a chartered accountant and senior project accountant on the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, secured confirmation after presenting his experience in financial management.
Senior lawyer and lecturer Otonye Amachree was questioned over petitions and his involvement in a legal dispute concerning a Kalabari regency. Although he addressed the allegations, the Assembly rejected his nomination.
The final nominee, Amairigha Edward Hart, a private sector executive, was confirmed by the House.
At the end of the screening exercise, the Assembly confirmed five nominees — Tonye Bellgam, Professor Temple Nwofor, Dr Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amairigha Edward Hart — while rejecting Professor Datonye Alasia, Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The Speaker said the Assembly would formally notify Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the outcome of the screening.
“We will write to His Excellency to swear in the five confirmed nominees as soon as possible,” he stated.
