JUST IN: Newly Appointed Commissioner Akawor resigns as Rivers PDP chairman

Desmond Akawor, the Peoples Democratic Party chairman in Rivers State, has tendered his resignation.

Just a few hours after President Bola Tinubu appointed him Federal Commissioner—representing Rivers State in the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission—his resignation letter appeared on Friday.

In a November 22, 2023 letter to PDP acting National Chairman Ambassador Umaru Damagun, Akawor stated that his resignation was related to his appointment.

He mentioned that Aaron Chukwuemeka, his deputy, has since taken over for him.

The letter read, “I have recently been nominated for a Federal appointment to the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission as the Federal Commissioner representing Rivers State.

” After consultation with my leaders and family, I have accepted this opportunity to serve our country, which I consider a national service.

“Consequently, I have resigned my position as the Rivers State party chairman of our great party- yhe PDP, and immediately handed over all duties to the Deputy Party Chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, who has commenced action in this stead.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have steered the ship of our great party, the PDP at the state level from 2020 to 2023, and especially grateful for your support and the support of the national body during my tenure.

 “My family and I are extremely grateful to Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his consideration and for finding me worthy to serve in this capacity.

“I remain committed to the ideals of our party always and will continue to be available to provide, steer, and support for all party affairs whenever I am called upon.”

Tinubu had on Thursday, appointed, Akawor, to serve as a Federal Commissioner—representing Rivers State—of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, pending confirmation by the Senate.

Akawor was appointed “following the tragic demise of the immediate past RMAFC Federal Commissioner from Rivers State, Asondu Temple earlier this month,” a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed.

The statement was titled ‘President Tinubu approves appointment of RMAFC Federal Commissioner.’

Until his appointment, Akawor served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea; Minister of State of the Federal Capital Territory; Sole Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority; CEO, Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, and Executive Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (Engineering & Technical Services).

The President tasked the new Federal Commissioner to “deploy his robust experience across tiers of government toward the comprehensive reformation of processes that will ensure the most efficient and productive utilisation of allocations to all three tiers of government in Nigeria.”