- Holds valedictory session with cabinet
As INEC denies rejecting resignation of Gov’s Chief of Staff, Ehie from assembly
Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially relieved all Commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgement of their appointments with immediate effect.
The Supreme Court in it’s judgement in February, 2025 recognised 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker, Martin Amaehwule as authentic members of the House, against the appeal of Governor Fubara, thereby nullifying all actions of the governor not recognised by the assembly including key appointments during the period of the crisis, as well as the October 5th, 2024 LG elections.
Fubara, reacting to the judgement of the apex Court back in February acknowledged the rulings and promised to abide by it accordingly.
The sacking of all appointees including commissioners affected by the Supreme Court judgement was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, on Wednesday.
Governor Fubara, according to the statement however thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the State in the last two years.
The Governor made the commendation during a valedictory session he held with his cabinet to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Fubara highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Independence, and called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all.
He also reiterated his commitment to serve the State with renewed vigor, while thanking all citizens for their support, and wished all Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.
.As INEC denies rejecting resignation of Gov’s Chief of Staff, Ehie from assembly
However, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State has clarified it’s position on the vacant seat of Ahoada-East State Constituency II, in the Rivers State House of Assembly previously occupied by Hon. Edison Ehie, current Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Hon. Edison Ehie, a former Leader and later factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, resigned from his position as a member of the Assembly on December 29, 2023 in the heat of the political crisis that plagued the state following a rift between Governor Fubara and his godfather and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and was later appointed Chief of Staff by the governor.
His resignation was submitted to INEC, but reports emerged on Wednesday that the Commission has rejected the resignation of Edison Ehie with claims that the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has not informed them that the Ahoada-East State Constituency II is vacant.
Reacting, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, in a statement by the Commission’s Ag. HOD, Voter Education & Publicity in the state, Geraldine Ekelemu on Wednesday said it is not true that it rejected Ehie’s resignation as contained in the reports of various news platforms.
The statement clarified that the commission is waiting for a formal notice from the appropriate authorities, as recognized by the Constitution, stating that the legislative seat has become vacant.
INEC while noting that the decision to conduct a bye-election is contingent upon receiving such formal notice from the Assembly, maintained that it will act based on the formal notification from the Rivers State House of Assembly.
However, INEC stressing that until the House transmits a declaration of vacancy of the seat to it, the commission will not initiate the process for a bye-election.
The statement reads in part; “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rivers State, wishes to address the incorrect report on Social media attributed to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, during an engagement with the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Rivers State on Monday, September 29, 2025, suggesting that the Commission refused to accept the resignation of the member representing Ahoada-East State Constituency II and, by implication, declined to initiate a bye-election in Ahoada-East State Constituency II.
“The Hon. REC was very transparent in his statement that the decision as to the organization of any election lies solely with the Commission’s Headquarters.
“The decision of INEC on when to conduct a bye-election is only conditioned on its receipt of a formal notice from the appropriate authorities recognized by the Constitution, stating that any legislative seat has become vacant, and INEC cannot, on its own, declare, recognize, or determine when any legislative seat has become vacant.
“The REC’s opinion and perception surrounding the issue of resignation, which he freely expressed during the IPAC visit, has been misconstrued as a policy statement from the Commission.”
The statement further clarified that “any claim that INEC did not accept the resignation of the member representing Ahoada-East State Constituency II is factually incorrect and legally unfounded.
“INEC does not adjudicate on the validity of a declaration of vacancy. Once it has been signed and transmitted by the authorized legislative authority and in this case, Rivers State House of Assembly, the Commission will commence the processes required to conduct a bye-election in line with constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act.”
