Wike, Zulum dissolve cabinets

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Borno State counterpart, Babagana Zulum, have dissolved their cabinets ahead of hand over ceremony with immediate effect.

Wike dissolved the Rivers State Executive Council, saying that the cabinet members can confidently return to their respective homes with their shoulders high, having successfully changed the narratives of governance in the country.

The outgoing governor, who announced the dissolution after the State Executive Council’s special valedictory session, held in Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday, expressed profound gratitude to the cabinet members for their service to the government and the state.

Wike directed all the commissioners to hand over government property in their custody to the permanent secretary or most senior director in their respective ministries, commending members of the cabinet for their immense sacrifices, commitment and dedication to service, which was responsible for the tremendous transformation the state had undergone in the past eight years.

He said, “Everybody is saying today that we have done well, no one person did well, everybody did well. The governor alone cannot be in charge of everywhere. The governor needs people, who will work for him. All he does is from time to time find out whether things are moving on well or not.

“So, that I have done well, for me, is not about me. Those that are responsible for our state shining today, are all of you, who are seated here, who have worked from morning till night. I want to sincerely thank you for the support.

“Be happy to say, yes, I participated when they said Rivers State became one of the leading states in this country; when they said there was infrastructure revolution in the state, when they said we stood our ground and challenged the authorities. We stood our ground and fought the Federal Government when we know they have violated the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The Rivers State governor recalled that at the inception of the administration in 2015, it was faced with series of challenges because of the hostility of the Federal Government, culminating in the nullification of the governorship, state and National Assembly elections.

“In 2015, when elections were nullified from State Assembly to National Assembly, to governorship, we remained undaunted. There were reruns and reruns, but God was on our side. We survived it and we have never chickened out to speak the truth. We have never chickened out to say what we believe in, and we give God the glory. I want to sincerely thank all of you for your contributions.”

Wike described the immediate past administration as callous and vicious for looting state assets and not formally handing over to his government. He however, thanked God for the privilege that he will be successfully handing over to the incoming Sir Siminialayi Fubara-led government.

In her valedictory remarks, the Rivers State deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo thanked the governor for availing her the privilege to be the first female deputy governor since the creation of the State in 1967.

She said history would remember Wike for his gender sensitive policy, which has paved way for another woman, Prof. Ngozi Odu to be her successor.Former Secretary to the Rivers State government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo said he was proud to be part of the governor Wike-led transformational government that changed the landscape of the state with impactful infrastructural projects.
 
Similarly, the Head of Service, Rufus Godwin said when governor Wike assumed office in 2015; the state purportedly had 54, 472 civil servants on her payroll. But following the introduction of biometric system, the number has reduced to 39,451.

Meanwhile, Zulum also dissolved a 22-member State Executive Council (SEC) with immediate effect. Other dissolutions announced at a valedictory session on Thursday, in Maiduguri, included political appointees comprising Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, as well as the Chairmen and members of boards and parastatals.
 
He said the Chairmen and members of Statutory Boards, Commissions, and Parastatals are not affected with the council dissolution. Zulum further announced that the Secretary to the State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa, remains till May 29, 2025.
 
He, therefore, urged the Commissioners to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Friday, May 26, 2023.