The session, which had earlier progressed smoothly, turned tense after Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), raised strong objections to the appointment of a Rivers state nominee.
There was uproar in the senate on Wednesday during the consideration of the report of the ad-hoc committee on the emergency administration in Rivers State, following controversy over the screening and confirmation of Michael Odey, a nominee from Cross River State as chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The session, which had earlier progressed smoothly, turned tense after Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), raised strong objections to the appointment.
He criticised what he described as a worrying pattern of nominating non-indigenes to head critical institutions in Rivers state under the emergency arrangement.
Sen. Moro referenced the earlier appointment of a sole administrator also a non-Rivers indigene, arguing that bringing in yet another outsider, especially in a politically sensitive role like that of RSIEC chairman, breached ethical considerations and eroded public trust.
Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi central) supported the minority leader’s position and questioned the rationale behind appointing a non-indigene to conduct elections in Rivers state.
He expressed concerns about legitimacy and acceptability among the local population.
Sen. Ali Ndume (APC, Borno south) also weighed in, invoking the federal character principle and the need for inclusivity and sensitivity in political appointments.
He said, “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.
“We are supposed to be guided by more than just constitutional technicalities, we must consider perception, appropriateness, and political wisdom. History will judge us,” he added.
In an emotionally charged contribution, Sen. Ndume warned that decisions like this could further alienate communities and deepen distrust in government actions during such fragile periods.
However, some senators defended the nomination. Chief Whip, Sen. Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno north), maintained that the appointment was constitutionally valid and fell within the rights of the appointing authority.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti central), who chaired the ad-hoc committee on the Rivers state emergency rule, also rose in defence of the decision. He called for calm, urging senators to avoid politicising the issue.
“This is not a matter for grandstanding or political sentiment. The constitution is clear, eligibility and qualification are the key criteria, and the nominee has met both, even if he is not from Rivers state,” he urged.
He added that of the seven nominees screened for RSIEC, six were indigenes of Rivers State, and only one, Mr Odey, was not. According to Bamidele, this was a deliberate attempt to ensure neutrality and public confidence in a politically volatile atmosphere.
He also assured the chamber that the ad-hoc committee had conducted due diligence and wide stakeholder consultations before making its recommendations.
Despite the rowdy session, the senate adopted the committee’s report by an overwhelming voice vote, thereby confirming Odey and the other nominees as chairman and members of RSIEC.
