Developing Story: Kamalu, Adangor Receive A Slap In The Face

By PHC Telegraph

 

Two powerful commissioners serving in Rivers State who are close associates of the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike have been reassigned.

They are Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, and Barrister Isaac Kamalu.

Their reassignment which takes immediate effect follows a minor cabinet reshuffle ordered by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

A statement issued from the Governor’s Office which was endorsed by Dr Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to Government,  said Professor Adangor who was the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is now to be responsible for the Ministry of Special Duties.

 

Barrister Isaac Kamalu, former State Commissioner for Finance who contested the PDP governorship primaries held under Wike’s watch is to serve henceforth as the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment.

The state-ment issued Tues-day direc-ted both funct-ionaries to hand-over to the Permanent Secretaries of their former ministries.

“They are to hand-over to their respective Permanent Secretaries immediately”, the statement directed.

Although such cabinet reshuffles are considered routine, the decision to move both men from such sensitive positions is being viewed in some circles as part of the ongoing feud between the State Governor and his predecessor who now serves as a minister in Abuja.

Insiders told the Port Harcourt Telegraph in Port Harcourt that the decision by Fubara to downgrade the portfolios being occupied by Adangor and Kamalu is both critical and strategic.

They say Fubara who is at war cannot allow his political adversaries exceptional access to information that are emanating from critical departments of state such as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance.

“Besides, these men who are like moles in the system gathering information for Wike have not been participating actively in the activities of the Fubara government”, a prominent politician who is siding with Fubara remarked.

“The Ministry of Justice which should spearhead legal actions pursued by the government and the Ministry of Finance which manages financial matters are too critical in my view to be left in the hands of supposed opponents”, another source who bared his mind on the imbroglio in Rivers State insisted.

“So, what Fubara has done administratively within his powers is right. It is an act of self defense and a bold effort at this time to officially block information leaks.

“Fubara who is saying very little in public is showing that he understands the tenets of power. This is without prejudice to his well known peaceful disposition”, the source added.

Fubara’s action is coming in the wake of the escalating face off that is currently taking place between the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

While Fubara exclusively controls the executive arm, a majority of lawmakers who have pitched camp with the APC are controlled by the former State Governor.

The legislative arm has of late embarked on the amendment of certain laws of the State and gone ahead to override the Governor’s veto.

Those amendments, observers note, are designed to whittle down the powers and influence of the State’s number one citizen.

 

The latest pertaining to the administration of local government councils ousts the right of the state governor to appoint caretaker committee chairmen who by established convention takeover the functions of duly elected chairmen and councillors, pending the conduct of fresh elections at that level by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

In the meantime, fierce battles are taking place in the courtroom where interest groups are pushing for the removal of the lawmakers who cross-carpeted to the APC.

The recent ruling of a court setting aside the seats occupied by some lawmakers in Cross River State who acted in such similar circumstances like their counterparts in Rivers State has overwhelmingly raised the hope of pro-Fubara campaigners who feel that justice will be served.

Wike and his political godson have been engaged in a battle for supremacy since last year.

Despite peace efforts made by several groups, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the crisis between Wike and Fubara is yet to abate.

Wike who recently found a federal appointment for the State Commissioner of Works, a dependable ally of his, his under pressure to find juicy positions for his associates.

Fubara’s deft move which has led to the downgrade of the role played by Wike’s men in his administration is expected to send the appropriate signals to those who are openly  fighting the legitimate government of the Rivers people.