Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Nigerian Senate, has frowned at the appointment of a Cross River State indigene, Dr Michael Ekpai Odey, as the Chairman of the Rivers State Electoral Commission, RSIEC, by the state Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd).
Ibas, a retired Naval Chief hails from Cross River State but was appointed a Sole Administrator to oversee Rivers State following the suspension of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara over political fued between him and his god-father, Nyesom Wike.
Senate Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State, vowed to investigate the development and know why the Sole Administrator would make such appointment.
This came to the fore on Tuesday while the committee was screening President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for appointment as Chairman and members of RSIEC.
Chairman of the committee, and Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, said the committee would find out whether there had been any precedence.
Recall that President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio had on Thursday, June 12 read a communication from President Bola Tinubu on his seven nominees to be screened to occupy the positions of Chairman and Members of the Rivers State Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The nominees were: Dr Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman); 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 (members).
