The Nigerian Senate has raised concerns over the nomination of Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey as Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), questioning his eligibility due to his non-indigene status.
Dr. Odey, who hails from Cross River State, was screened by the Senate Adhoc Committee on the Emergency Situation in Rivers State, chaired by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
During the screening, Senator Bamidele highlighted the sensitive nature of appointing a non-indigene to head a state electoral commission, especially since Dr. Odey shares the same state of origin as the current Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ekwe Ibas.
In his defense, Dr. Odey argued that the RSIEC enabling law does not restrict such an appointment.
> “I have reviewed the RSIEC law, and there is no section that forbids someone outside the state from being appointed chairman of the commission,” he said.
However, Senator Bamidele cautioned that the appointment, while not necessarily illegal, could raise serious concerns.
> “This may not violate the law, but we must consider how it looks to the public. It’s a state electoral commission, not a federal one. Public perception matters,” he stated.
The committee has decided to review the RSIEC legal framework again to assess the long-term impact of appointing a non-indigene to such a key role.
Other nominees screened for positions within the RSIEC include Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Godfrey Mbudiogha, Prof. Joyce Akaniwor, Dr. Olive Bruce, and Prof. Chidi Halliday.
The screening comes amid ongoing political tension in Rivers State, as stakeholders remain divided over leadership and governance issues.
