Issac Kamalum, a loyalist of Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, who is a member of Governor Similanayi Fubara’s cabinet, has resigned.
Kamalu, Commissioner for Finance, was affected by a minor cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday. He was moved to the ministry of employment and economic generation.
Professor Zacchus Adangor, also a Wike loyalist, was relieved of his duties as Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner and given a new role in the the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office).
Adangor had earlier tendered his resignation.
In a similar manner, Kamalu also opted out of the incumbent Rivers government.
In his letter of resignation addressed to the Secretary to Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danangogo, the former commissioner said the governor’s “inability to maintain peace” in the state was the reason he chose to quit.
“Your Excellency would recall that I served under the Administration of His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS (now Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja) originally as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning (2015-2019) and subsequently as Commissioner for Finance with oversight responsibility for the Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (2019 – 2023).
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“The mandates of the respective Ministries were to the best of our abilities (as Ministries) duly carried out and at all times material relevant reforms were embarked upon for improved performance and effective and sustainable service delivery.
“Among several others, we successfully carried out the following:
a. Initiating and (supporting existing) policy frameworks for enhanced internal revenue generation. This with (necessary adjustments made on some of the programs) led to the Increase in the Internal revenue receipts. This steady rise has presently generated though not the figures erroneously claimed in the Media.
“Aggressive Improvement in Federation receipts by securing recovery by the State of Oilfields that were also the subject of the successful claim against International Oll Companies(IOCs)on production sharing contracts; the recoveries arising from 13% derivation and the demand by the State for adherence to the fiscal provisions in the Constitution in support of States by successfully removing from Federation receipts institutions of Government whether state or federal not so recognized by the constitution such as the Police Trust Fund and others thus widening the available receipts for States and the last but not the least our success on the subject of Value Added Tax.
“The reason behind these painstaking efforts was to make available a basket of receipts sufficient to enable the State deliver good governance through the provision of goods and services. It was this idea that informed the Continuity and Consolidation mantra that was the theme of your election campaign and Government thereafter.
“You will respectfully recall that when the climate of discord became unbearable I and other like-minded Members of the Executive Council that were appointed by you resigned. You thereafter engaged His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as Father of the Nation to intervene in the matter.In deference to the directive of Mr. President I and the others were recalled and we all accepted and joined the Cabinet again. I expected Sir that with the opportunity provided by Mr.President every effort will be made to sustain peace.
“Regrettably Your Excellency the peace in Government and governance that we all – citizens and residents-of the State desire has remained out of reach despite our consistent efforts and demand for same. This has affected our ability to protect and defend the gains that we made these past years.
“In the course of official engagements I have reiterated on the need for this peace and the fact we all are willing and determined to work for this. It is very difficult to deliver good governance where there is acrimony and discord. It is not the point of service that is Important but the climate.Our present circumstance makes service delivery extremely challenging. I still hold the belief that it is never too late for peace.
“In view of the above I find it difficult to accept the redeployment. I do not accept it. I reject it and convey to you my immediate resignation as Commissioner and Member of the Rivers State Executive Council with effect from the date of this letter. While praying that the Good Lord grants us Peace, I thank you for the opportunity and assure you the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
Adangor and Kamalu had resigned amid the rift between Wike and Fubara, but they returned to the government after President Bola TInubu intervened in the crisis.
One of the agreement reached was for Fubara to reabsorb Wike’s loyalists into his government.
