IN A SIGNIFICANT move to reconstitute his administration following a period of intense political turmoil, Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the appointment of Dr. Dagogo Wokoma as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Barrister Sunny Ewule as his Chief of Staff (CoS).
The announcement, made early morning of Thursday, February 26, 2026, signals a new chapter in the Government House after weeks of high-stakes political manoeuvring that brought the state to the brink of a constitutional crisis.
The appointments were disclosed in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, who confirmed that the new officials would be sworn in at 2pm at the Executive Council Chamber. They take over from Benibo Anabraba and Edison Ehie, respectively, as Governor Fubara moves to solidify his inner circle.
A Peace Deal Takes Shape
These appointments are the latest in a series of dramatic developments aimed at resolving the bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The feud, which has paralysed governance in the oil-rich state for months, recently escalated into fresh impeachment proceedings against the governor.
The crisis reached a tipping point in early 2026 when 26 out of 32 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Wike, signed a notice to impeach Fubara over allegations of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex and financial impropriety. The move plunged the state into fresh uncertainty, forcing President Bola Tinubu to intervene once again to broker peace.
Following a crucial meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, a compromise appears to have been reached. Last week, the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, announced the withdrawal of the impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. The appointments of Dr. Wokoma and Barrister Ewule are widely seen as a key part of the political recalibration agreed upon during these reconciliation talks.
This restructuring follows Governor Fubara’s recent dissolution of the entire State Executive Council, which saw all commissioners and special advisers relieved of their duties. The dissolution cleared the way for the governor to build a new team, potentially one that can work more cohesively amidst the shifting political alliances in the state.
The New Guards
While official portraits of the new appointees are yet to be released by the Government House, they are expected to bring some degree of symmetry to an administration that has been largely chaotic as a result of the power tussle between Fubara and his godfather, Wike.
As the new SSG, Dr. Wokoma steps into the role of the government’s most senior civil servant, responsible for coordinating the ministries and steering the administration’s policy agenda. He is expected to bring administrative experience to an executive council that is currently being rebuilt from the ground up.
Barrister Ewule takes on the crucial role of Chief of Staff, the gatekeeper to the governor and the coordinator of political and administrative activities within the Government House. His legal background may prove invaluable as the administration navigates the complex political terrain and ongoing negotiations with the legislature.
The Shifting Political Landscape
The appointments come at a time of profound political realignment in Rivers State. In a move that shocked the political establishment, Governor Fubara formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025. This defection placed him and FCT Minister Wike, who remains in the PDP, on opposite sides of the political aisle, despite their recent peace talks.
The dynamics within the APC have also added a layer of complexity. While Fubara has joined the ruling party, he has yet to be formally received, a delay the APC national chairman has attributed to “regional sensitivities” and a strategic approach to political management. This has fuelled speculation about who truly controls the party structure in Rivers State, a question that will be critical as the 2027 general elections approach.
For now, the appointments of Wokoma and Ewule represent a tangible step toward stability. As the new officials settle into their offices at the Government House in Port Harcourt, all eyes will be on how they navigate the fragile peace and help Governor Fubara steer Rivers State away from crisis and toward governance.
