Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria — Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the elected leader of Rivers State, is scheduled to swear in five newly confirmed commissioners on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, following their clearance by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The appointments come after the governor submitted a list of nine nominees to the state legislature for screening and confirmation as members of the State Executive Council, the body responsible for assisting the governor in administering government policy and overseeing key ministries.
During a plenary session held on Monday, March 9, 2026, lawmakers reviewed the nominees presented by the governor. The legislative chamber is led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. After conducting the screening exercise, the Assembly declined to confirm four of the nominees.
Legislators explained that the decision was based on concerns raised during the screening process. According to the Assembly, issues cited included poor performance in previous roles, inconsistencies discovered in the submitted documentation of some nominees, and petitions reportedly filed by constituents against one candidate.
Despite those concerns, the lawmakers confirmed five nominees who successfully completed the screening process. Following the approval, the Speaker announced that the Assembly would formally notify the governor and advise him to proceed with the swearing in of the cleared candidates.
Okay News reports that the development represents the next step in forming the Rivers State Executive Council, which plays a key role in shaping policy decisions and implementing programmes across ministries in the oil rich state in southern Nigeria.
In a statement released on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, confirmed that the swearing in ceremony would take place at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State.
The statement read, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, will on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, swear in the Commissioners-designate already screened and cleared by the State House of Assembly, at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt by 1pm.
“They are, Mr Tonye Belgam, Prof. Temple Nwafor, Dr Peters Nwogor, Dr Lekue Kenneth and Amachree Edward Hart.
“The Commissioner-designate, along with one (1) guest each, is expected to be seated by 12:30 pm.”
The swearing in ceremony is expected to formally induct the five nominees into the state cabinet, allowing them to begin overseeing ministries and contributing to governance in Rivers State.
The screening and confirmation process reflects the constitutional role of the state legislature in approving executive appointments. Once sworn in, the commissioners will join the governor and other senior officials in directing policies and programmes aimed at managing public services, infrastructure development, and economic activities within the state.
