A video circulating online has captured a tense moment during the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Siminalayi Fubara to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The exchange occurred when the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, questioned one of the nominees, Charity Deemua, over the status of her tax clearance certificate.
During the screening session, Amaewhule pointed out that Deemua’s tax clearance documents appeared outdated and suggested that she had not paid taxes since 2018.
“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,” the Speaker said.
In response, Deemua explained that she had not had a steady source of income in recent years.
“Like I said before, I’m a politician, I don’t have work,” she said.
When asked to clarify her employment history, the nominee told lawmakers that she had previously served in government.
“I was a member, a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission,” she stated.
The Speaker then questioned her about a role she had mentioned in a local government caretaker committee.
“When were you? Hold on… local government caretaker committee member, right?” Amaewhule asked.
“I was just three months there,” Deemua replied.
“When? When was that?” the Speaker asked again.
“And I think November last year,” she responded.
“November when? What year?” Amaewhule pressed.
“2025,” she answered.
Amaewhule then asked whether she received any salary during that period.
“You were not paid salary? Were you not paid salary?” he asked.
“In the caretaker committee, we were paid,” Deemua admitted.
The Speaker quickly pointed out the contradiction.
“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,” he said.
Deemua later apologised and suggested she could revisit the issue.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. But I think I can still go back for…” she said before being interrupted.
“No, but you say you have not had any income now,” Amaewhule replied before proceeding to screen the next nominee.
Since the video surfaced online, it has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many questioning the claim that politicians do not have jobs despite holding public offices.
Observers also pointed out that Nigerian public office holders are often considered among the highest paid globally, raising further debate about transparency and whether elected officials consistently meet their tax obligations.
