By Haruna Salami
The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State Tuesday began screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for appointment as chairman and members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and Rivers State Local Government Service Commission (RVLGSC).
President Tinubu, in a letter to the Senate, read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on June 12, 2025 listed the nominees for the various appointments.
Five people were nominated to occupy the positions of chairman and members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission. They are Dr. Barikor Livinus Baribuma (Chairman).
The following are members: Ambassador Lot Peter Egopija, Ms. Maeve Ere-Bestman, Mrs. Joy Obiaju, Mrs. Charity Lloyd Harry.
In a similar vein, the following seven nominees are screened to occupy the positions of chairman and members of the Rivers State Electoral Commission (RSIEC): Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman), while the members are include Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Professor (Dr.) Arthur Nwafor, Professor Godfrey Woke Mbudiogha, Professor (Dame) Joyce Akaniwor, Dr. (Mrs.) Olive A. Bruce and Professor Chidi Halliday.
Meanwhile, seven nominees to occupy the positions of chairman and members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission are Israel N. Amadi (Chairman). The members include Mr. Linus Nwandem, Lady Christabel Ego George-Didia .
Others members are Dr. Tonye D. Willie Pepple, Barr. Richard U. Ewoh, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd) and Barrister Sammy Apiafi.
The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee and Senate Leaders, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) said the committee did not receive any petitions against any of the nominees as security agencies, including the DSS gave them clearance.
He promised that the Senate Committee will srutinise their CVs and make appropriate commendations to the Senate at plenary when the red chamber resumes next week.
However, the nominee for appointment as Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RVSIEC), Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey’s state of origin was a serious source of concern. Dr. Odey hails from Cross River state, the home state of the sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ekwe Ibas.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Senator Bamidele said the committee will look at the issue of the state of origin against the background of the law that establishes RVSIEC.
With the emergency rule in place, the National Assembly has become the House of Assembly of Rivers State.