The Nigerian Senate has raised concerns over the nomination of Michael Odey, a native of Cross River State, as Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). This move has sparked controversy, given that Odey is not an indigene of Rivers State, a factor many lawmakers believe should be critical in state-level appointments.
The situation has drawn further scrutiny as the current Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, is also from Cross River State, deepening apprehensions about external influence in the state’s internal affairs.
Defending his nomination during his screening, Odey maintained that no legal provisions under the RSIEC enabling law prohibit a non-indigene from assuming the chairmanship of the commission. “With utmost respect, I have reviewed the RSIEC’s enabling law, and there is nothing that prohibits the appointment of someone from outside the state as chairman of the electoral management body,” he told the Senate committee.
However, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who chairs the screening committee, expressed reservations about the broader implications. “We have the law in our possession, so please provide it to the committee because, in my opinion, while the Independent National Electoral Commission serves the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria, a State Independent Electoral Commission is specifically about that state,” Bamidele noted.
He further stressed that, even in the absence of a legal barrier, public perception, legal consistency, and political precedent must be considered. “This is not an issue we can overlook. It must be something we can defend. Even if the law does not prohibit this appointment, we have to ensure that it does not go against public conscience,” he stated.
The Senate committee has resolved to re-examine the eligibility criteria within the RSIEC law to ensure alignment with principles of federalism, fairness, and local representation.
Other nominees screened for membership of the commission include Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Arthur Nwafor, Godfrey Mbudiogha, Joyce Akaniwor, Olive A. Bruce, and Chidi Halliday.
