The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday declined confirmation for four commissioner-nominees, following intense questioning during a session broadcast live on television.
The nominees who failed to secure approval were Datonye Alaska, TKD Amachree, Charity Demua, and Tamuno Williams. Their confirmation hurdles were reportedly linked to the lawmakers’ scrutiny of their past political activities and public positions.
In contrast, five other nominees—Tonye Bellgam, Temple Nwofor, Peters Nwagor, Lekue Kenneth, and Amairigha Edward Hart—were successfully confirmed.
Observers have interpreted the fallout as evidence of insufficient consultations between the state legislature, the executive, and key political stakeholders before Governor’s submission of the list to the House.
Tamuno Williams, a lawyer and former Chairman of Okirika Local Government Area, was reportedly rejected due to the legal positions he publicly took against the House during a previous political crisis. Known for his vocal support of Governor Fubara, Tamuno had made comments in the media critical of the Assembly’s stance during the crisis.
A brief exchange occurred between Tamuno and Speaker Kenneth Amaewhule during the grilling, with the Speaker challenging the nominee on numerous publications that had stirred controversy. Tamuno defended his actions, asserting that in jurisprudence, differing opinions are permissible and that some of his positions had not materialized following court judgments.
The rejection underscores the tension between political loyalty, past activism, and legislative scrutiny in Rivers State’s current political landscape.
