Senate Divided Over Appointment of Non-Indigene as Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman.

There was commotion in the Nigerian Senate during the consideration of the ad-hoc committee report on the emergency rule in Rivers State, especially concerning the screening and approval of the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The controversy centered around the nomination of Michael Odey, a non-indigene from Cross River State, as RSIEC Chairman. This appointment sparked heated debate, with opposition lawmakers raising concerns about the implications for fairness and representation in Rivers State’s electoral processes.

Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro criticized the decision, recalling that the earlier appointment of a sole administrator from outside Rivers State had already raised public concerns. He argued that repeating this with the RSIEC chairman deepened ethical concerns.

Backing him, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) questioned the rationale behind selecting someone not from the state to oversee its elections.

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) echoed these sentiments, stating:

“Yes, it may not be unconstitutional, but we must carry the people along. There are qualified individuals within Rivers State, and appointing from outside sends the wrong signal.”

However, Chief Whip Tahir Monguno defended the nomination, arguing that there was no constitutional violation. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who chaired the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Emergency Rule, called for calm and stressed that the Constitution, not politics, should guide the decision.

“This is not a matter for grandstanding or politicisation,” Bamidele said. “The Constitution is clear: eligibility and qualification are the key criteria. The nominee has met both, even if he is not from Rivers State.”

He added that six of the seven RSIEC nominees are from Rivers, suggesting that the appointment of a neutral chairman would help ensure transparency in a politically tense environment.

Despite the tensions, the Senate approved the ad-hoc committee\'s report through a voice vote, officially confirming Michael Odey and other RSIEC members.