Tinubu Stokes Tension As Senate Okays Non-Indigene As Rivers Electoral Chief

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu appears to be stoking tension and courting further crisis in Rivers State with the Senate confirmation of his appointment of a non-indigene as chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on Wednesday, June 25.
The green chamber okayed Tinubu’s choice of Dr. Michael Ekpali Odeh, a Cross River State indigene, as RSIEC boss despite spirited opposition from lawmakers and warnings of looming political unrest in the already volatile oil-producing state.
It began as a routine confirmation hearing but quickly turned into a dramatic confrontation over legality, morality, and democratic principles, as opposition senators accused the federal government of “hijacking democracy” under the guise of constitutional compliance.
A visibly angry Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) asked: “You mean to tell us that in all of Rivers State, no one is qualified to conduct their own elections?
“This is not just inappropriate; it is inflammatory.
“Mr. President, let it be on record that I, Senator Abdul Ningi, stood against this decision, even if it will not stop the confirmation.”
The fact that Odeh hails from the same state with the Sole Administraor of Rivers State under emergence rule, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, made his appointment more curious.
Although the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers, led by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, recommended Odeh’s confirmation and insisted no constitutional provision had been breached, it failed to assuage growing concerns, having raised the issue itself.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the planary, cited precedents, such as the current Head of Service in Abia State being from Edo State as evidence that inter-state appointments are legal.
However, his line of defence could hardly calm frayed nerves, as Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) stated: “We are not guided by the Constitution alone; we are guided by conscience, common sense and the mandate of those who sent us here. This is not neutrality; it is domination dressed in law.”
He added: “The senate must be guided beyond just the constitution; it must also consider perception and representation.”
His view found support in Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, who counselled that the Rivers crisis required sensitivity, not provocation, adding: “Rivers is not an APC state; it is under emergency rule. This appointment raises red flags about federal overreach.
“Rivers is under emergency rule. So, this decision raises a lot of questions. The state is ordinarily not under APC.
“Let it be known that we have some concerns over what is going on in Rivers State.”
However, Senate Whip, Mohammed Monguno, defended the decision to appoint Odeh on the basis that any Nigerian could serve in any capacity in any state of the federation, noting: “Any Nigerian can be appointed to be anybody in any state. This right is guaranteed by the constitution.
“I can even serve as the governor of Benue State, if the people of Benue State so elect me to be their governor.”
Monguno went further: “This is not an issue for grandstanding. If the parliament disagrees with the court’s interpretation, the proper route is legislation, not protest.”
Jibrin supported Monguno’s position, citing an example with Abia State where the Head of Service is from Edo State.
He waved off opposition to the appointment as “pure politics,” as no law was breached, adding: “In Abia State, the HoS, Mr Benson, is from Edo State, and nobody is saying anything about that. This is all politics.”
Even some APC lawmakers murmored in mutedly expression of discomfort with the appointment, with one of them saying: “This may pass procedurally, but it will explode politically.”
Others described the move as a case of “constitutional colonialism,” a case of using legality to suppress local autonomy.
Despite strong dissent and repeated objections, the Senate confirmed Odeh, alongside other nominees for the Rivers State Local Government Civil Service Commission, the Primary Healthcare Management Board, as well as its 2025 Appriopriation Bill of N1.48trillion, as earlier defended by Ibas before the Bamidele committee.
At the end, Senators Ningi, Ndume and Moro formally requested that their dissent be recorded in the official proceedings, with one senator saying: “We may have lost the vote, but history will remember this as the day Rivers people were denied their right to choose.”
The others earlier screened and confirmed with Odeh as members of the electoral body were Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira; Prof. Arthur Nwafor; Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbudiogha; Prof. Joyce Akaniwor; Dr. Olive A. Bruce and Prof. Chidi Halliday.
For the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Dr. Barikor Livinus Baribuma was confirmed as Chairman, with Amb. Lot Peter Egopija; Ms. Maeve Ere-Bestman; Mrs. Joy Obiaju and Mrs. Charity Lloyd Harry as members.
Rivers State Local Government Service Commission has Mr. Israel Amadi as Chairman, and Mr. Linus Nwandem; Christabel George-Didia; Dr. Tonye D. Willie Pepple; Mr. Richard U. Ewoh; Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (rtd) and Mr. Sammy Apiafi as members.
The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board will be chaired by Dr. Dawari George, with Dr. Chituru Adiele as Executive Director, and Prof. Kaladada Korubp; Dr. Benjamin Osarolaka Osaro; Mrs. Anne Obomanu; Prof. Grace Robinson Bassey; Dr. Mike Alagala and Mr. Sunday Asetubobe as memebers.
Mr. Dagogo Alabo was also confirmed as
representatives of state Ministry of Health; Ms. Carmelita Ekenyi Agborubere (state Ministry of Women’s Affairs); Mr. James Ngochindo Epobari (Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Finance); Mr. Clifford Paul (ALGON); Mr. Luke Usang (Local Government Civil Service Commission) and Mr. Romeo Osima Isokariari (state Ministry of Justice).
The nomination/confirmation of Victoria Poma Samuel, representing the Ministry of Local Government Affairs on the Primary Health Board was stood down due to non-appearance for screening.