FCT, Abuja – Tension flared at the Rivers State House of Assembly during the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. A video circulating online shows Speaker Martin Amaewhule questioning nominee Charity Deemua over an allegedly outdated tax clearance certificate.
During the session, Amaewhule highlighted that Deemua had not submitted a current tax clearance and asked whether she had been exempted from paying taxes since 2018. Deemua responded that she had not had a steady source of income in recent years, adding, “Like I said before, I’m a politician, I don’t have work.”
The Speaker probed further, questioning her previous government roles. Deemua admitted to brief stints as a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission and as a local government caretaker committee member for three months in November 2025, during which she received payment.
Amaewhule pressed her on the inconsistency, pointing out that she had claimed to have no income since 2018. “Madam, that is not nice. You are misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly,” he said. Deemua apologised and offered to address the discrepancy.
The video has sparked wide online reactions, with many Nigerians questioning the accountability of politicians and what taxpayers are funding when elected officials claim not to work.
