Swearing-in of Newly Appointed Permanent Secretaries Put On Hold in Rivers State
Swearing-in of Newly Appointed Permanent Secretaries Put On Hold in Rivers State
The much-anticipated swearing-in ceremony for five newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the Rivers State Civil Service has been unexpectedly put on hold, according to emerging reports from Government House sources and civil service circles.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara had, just yesterday (Tuesday, February 10, 2026), approved the appointment of the five senior bureaucrats through a statement issued by the Head of Service, Inyingi S. I. Brown. The appointees include:
1. Dr. Wachukwu, Vincent Worgu
2. Eke, Cordelia Uwuma
3. Ogboma, Ifeanyi Anthony
4. Dr. Jim-Jaja, Mina Gogo
5. Uzor, Henry
The official announcement explicitly stated that the Governor would personally administer the oath of office to the new Permanent Secretaries today, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at a ceremony expected to hold at Government House, Port Harcourt.
However, as of the afternoon of February 11, credible indications suggest that the swearing-in has been deferred indefinitely. While no official statement has been released by the Rivers State Government explaining the sudden change, sources close to the administration point to “unforeseen administrative and protocol considerations” as the likely reason for the postponement.
The development comes against the backdrop of the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the civil service following periods of political turbulence and the recent reinstatement of full executive authority under Governor Fubara. The appointment of these Permanent Secretaries was widely seen as a strategic move to inject fresh leadership and professionalism into key ministries and agencies.
Analysts note that the delay may be linked to last-minute verification processes, scheduling conflicts, or internal consultations within the civil service hierarchy. There are also unconfirmed whispers of possible legal or procedural issues that may have arisen overnight, though nothing has been substantiated at the time of filing this report.
Government House insiders insist the postponement is only temporary and that a new date for the swearing-in will be communicated “very soon.” The affected appointees, many of whom are seasoned career officers with strong track records, are said to be awaiting further directives.
This is not the first time swearing-in ceremonies in Rivers State have faced last-minute adjustments in recent years. Observers recall similar incidents during previous administrations when political realignments or court interventions forced changes to planned events.
Further updates are expected as the Rivers State Government is likely to issue an official clarification in the coming hours or days. For now, the five new Permanent Secretaries remain in a holding pattern, their elevation to the apex of the civil service career ladder tantalizingly close yet temporarily paused.
