By Ishaya Ibrahim
Rivers Commissioner for Education, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, and his counterpart in the Housing Ministry, Gift Worlu, have resigned from their positions.
The resignation of the two officials brings the total of senior government officials who have quit the cabinet of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to four in the last three weeks.
On April 24, two senior government officials of the Rivers State Government resigned their positions in protest of their deployment to another ministry. They are; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zacchaeus Adangor, and Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu.
All the officials that have so far resigned from the cabinet of Fubara are loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
After yesterday’s verbal attack when Fubara referenced his predecessor as the proverbial ‘rat eating the bag of garri, Mmom and Worlu tendered their letter of resignation.
In Mmom letter of resignation letter dated May 15, 2024, he said the “toxic” working environment in the state was his reason for his resignation, stating that such an environment would make it impossible to achieve “my set targets for the Education sector in the State.”
He, however, thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the opportunity to serve in his administration and wished him well.
The letter read: “It is a truism that a calm, safe, and friendly environment would stimulate efficient service delivery and enhanced productivity.
“It is however unfortunate to note that my current workspace has become toxic and no longer guarantees a favourable environment to enable me to realize my set targets for the Education sector in the State.
“There is a loss of trust, animosity, and sharp division among colleagues in the same cabinet which is unhealthy and very unfortunate.
“I want to thank Your Excellency for the opportunity to serve in your cabinet and wish your administration well.
“Kindly accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
Professor Mmom and Worlu were among the Commissioners who resigned from the Fubara cabinet last year during the heat of the political crisis in the state, before the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
