The Rivers State House of Assembly has sent a strong message about financial responsibility by refusing to confirm Charity Deemua as a commissioner.
The decision came after a tense screening session where the nominee struggled to explain why she hadn't paid taxes for several years.
All nominees were required to show proof of tax payment. Deemua’s last recorded payment was in December 2018.
She argued that because she is a politician, she doesn't have "work" or a salary that generates tax.
Speaker Amaewhule rebuked her, stating that misleading the Assembly was "not nice" and that being a paid committee member in 2025 counted as taxable income.
Of the nine nominees sent by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, only five were cleared. Deemua was one of four who failed to secure approval due to "unsatisfactory performance" and document controversies.
