Rivers Assembly Screening Turns Tense as Speaker Questions Commissioner Nominee on Taxes

A tense exchange unfolded at the Rivers State House of Assembly during the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The confrontation occurred when Speaker Martin Amaewhule raised concerns over the tax clearance certificate of nominee Charity Deemua, questioning whether she had been fulfilling her tax obligations in recent years.

“I just wanted to know, so there’s no current tax clearance. Madam has not been paying tax since 2018. I just wanted to know if she’s been exempted from paying taxes. So let her tell us now,” Amaewhule stated during the session.

Deemua explained that she had not maintained a regular source of income, citing her political involvement as not translating into stable employment. “Like I said before, I’m a politician, I don’t have work,” she said.

The Speaker pressed further, seeking clarification on her previous roles in government. Deemua disclosed that she had served as a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission and briefly as a member of a local government caretaker committee.

“When were you? Hold on… local government caretaker committee member, right?” Amaewhule asked. Deemua responded that her tenure lasted three months, beginning in November 2025, during which she received payment.

Amaewhule highlighted the inconsistency in her earlier statement regarding income, noting: “You were paid? Yes. Is that not income? But you said you have not had any income from 2018 to date as a politician. So no tax clearance, and that’s what you are telling Rivers people. Madam, that is not nice. You are misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly.”

Deemua apologised and indicated she could revisit her tax documentation but was cut short by the Speaker, who moved on to the next nominee.

The exchange has sparked public discussion on the accountability of public office holders and the importance of maintaining up-to-date tax records.