Is This Even Legal?” – Senate Fumes Over Ibas’ Appointment Of Cross River Native as RSIEC Chair

The Senate has criticized the appointment of Michael Ekpai Odey, an indigene of Cross River State, as the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) by the state’s Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This objection was raised on Tuesday during the screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for RSIEC by the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State.

During the exercise, the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee and Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), expressed concern over the appointment of someone from outside Rivers State to head its electoral body. He assured that the committee would conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine whether such an appointment is legally and constitutionally defensible, and whether it could set a troubling precedent for future actions.

Earlier, on Thursday, June 12, Senate President Godswill Akpabio had read a letter from President Tinubu presenting seven nominees for appointment into RSIEC. The list included Michael Ekpai Odey as Chairman, alongside members Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Arthur Nwafor, Godfrey Woke Mbudiogha, Joyce Akaniwor, Olive A. Bruce, and Chidi Halliday.

The nominations were subsequently referred to the Bamidele-led Committee for further legislative review, with a report expected within two weeks.

Senator Bamidele added:

“We already have the relevant laws in our possession. Requesting them from you is just a formality. This matter requires deeper scrutiny. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) serves the federation, State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) are bound to their respective states.
Even if there is no specific legal restriction against appointing a non-indigene, we must determine whether such an act aligns with public expectations and ethical standards. We need to examine the eligibility criteria to understand the implications. This appointment raises important questions that must be addressed thoroughly before any precedent is set.”