During the Channels Television interview, Professor Benjamin Okaba addressed claims regarding alleged pre-election agreements involving Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The President of the Ijaw National Congress said, “no sitting governor anywhere in the world signs an agreement saying he cannot appoint commissioners, chairmen, or a chief of staff”.
Okaba explained that any suggestion that a governor had formally restricted his constitutional powers through a prior agreement was unrealistic and contrary to standard governance practices.
He emphasized that such agreements, if they existed, could not override the legal authority vested in a sitting governor by the constitution.
According to him, claims of this nature should be treated with caution, as they risk distorting public understanding of political processes and executive responsibilities.
The INC president noted that the governor’s role inherently includes the appointment of key officials necessary for effective governance, and no pre-election arrangement can legally constrain that authority.
He added that discussions about alleged agreements must be separated from factual constitutional obligations and the practical realities of governing a state.
Okaba stressed that misrepresenting such arrangements could be used as a tool for political maneuvering rather than genuine concern for governance.
He further observed that political actors should focus on lawful and transparent engagement rather than promoting claims that challenge the operational authority of elected officials.
