More political drama in Rivers as Gov Wike sacks cabinet

The political drama playing out in Governor Nyesom Wike-led government of Rivers State continued on Saturday with the governor dissolving the State Executive Council (SEC).

Within the last 48 hours, the rate at which Rivers State government officials have either sacked or voluntarily resigned from their duties has been dramatic.

Two days ago, it was the sacking of the Commissioner for Works, Bathuel Harrison, who was relieved of his position with immediate effect.

While the state was yet to assimilate the news, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Austin Tam-George, a day later, voluntarily resigned his position as the state’s image maker.

George had stated in his resignation letter, “I wish to resign my appointment as Commissioner for Information and Communication with effect from today, June 23, 2017. I have handed over officially to the Director of Administration of the Ministry. Thank for the opportunity to serve the state”.

And just less than 24 hours after George’s resignation, a statement signed by the governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, announced the dissolution of the SEC.

The statement read, “Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has dissolved the State Executive Council. The governor directed all former commissioners to hand over to their respective Permanent Secretaries.

“Governor Wike thanked the former commissioners for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.”

Read also: Gov Wike’s media aide resigns, the second in 2…

The statement added that the governor has felicitated with Nigerian Muslims on the successful completion of the 2017 Ramadan fast and called on them to use the Sallah celebration to pray for the unity of the country.

Following the sequence with which the events in the state took place, there are already insinuations that all may not have been well with the governor and his executive cabinet members.

 

 

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