Prof Zacchaeus Adangor has tendered his resignation as the Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State. In a letter dated December 14, 2023, addressed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Adangor cited “personal decision” as the sole reason for his resignation. Adangor had served as the Rivers AG for eight years during Nyesom Wike’s administration, which lasted from May 2015 to May 2023.
The resignation comes amid a deepening political crisis in the state, where the 32-member Rivers State House of Assembly has become a focal point of contention. The rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has fueled the political turmoil.
The crisis escalated with the demolition of the Assembly Complex by Governor Fubara, claiming that the structure was no longer suitable. This move followed a fire incident that had occurred two months prior. The Assembly has been marred by conflicting leadership claims, with Edison Ehie recognized as the speaker by the court, while Martins Amaewhule faced restrictions from using the Assembly complex.
Ehie, aligning with Fubara, declared the seats of 27 members vacant after they defected from the PDP to the APC. The 27 members were reportedly loyal to Amaewhule, an ally of Wike. The political turmoil reached its zenith in October when conflicting impeachment notices were served, creating a chaotic situation within the Assembly.
Despite interventions from prominent figures like President Bola Tinubu and PDP governors, the political instability in the oil-rich South-South state appears far from resolution. The resignation of Prof Zacchaeus Adangor as the Attorney-General adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing political saga in Rivers State.