By Milcah Tanimu

In a recent development within Rivers State politics, lawmakers aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara have successfully screened and confirmed a nominee for commissioner. Led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, this faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly endorsed the governor’s choice, Dagogo Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, after a thorough screening process on Monday.

During the session, Iboroma expressed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and serving the state diligently, regardless of the ministry assigned to him.

This legislative session marked the first since the appointment of new principal officers. Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, backed by lawmakers supportive of Governor Fubara, presided over the proceedings. The screening witnessed the presence of principal officers and former members of the assembly.

The speaker lauded Governor Fubara for providing an auditorium in the government house as a temporary chamber, following the recent fire incident at the main complex of the state assembly.

A motion was moved by the assembly leader, Sokari Goodboy, to formalize the auditorium as the new chamber. This allowed the speaker to present Governor Fubara’s request for the confirmation of Dagogo Iboroma as a commissioner.

However, amidst these proceedings, Human Rights Lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) criticized Governor Fubara’s decision to relocate the assembly’s sitting venue to the Government House. Falana argued that such a directive undermined the independence of the legislative arm. He cited legal precedents and emphasized the need for the assembly to determine its meeting venue.

Falana also contended that lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had forfeited their positions, citing legal judgments that support this stance.

The debate surrounding the confirmation and the venue of the assembly’s sitting reflects the complex dynamics of politics and governance in Rivers State.