Senate questions the nomination of Michael Odey as RISIEC Chairman

The Senate in an unexpected bold move, considering its usual express approval of presentations from the Executive has temporarily halted President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Michael Odey as Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), as a result of his state of origin.

Citing constitutional concerns over his eligibility during their screening session on Tuesday, the Senate Adhoc Committee on the Emergency Rule in Rivers State questioned whether a non-indigene could legally head a state electoral body.

Odey who boldly told the panel, chaired by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, that he hails from Cross River State, the same state as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, argued that his non-indigene status was not a disqualifying factor.

“With utmost respect, I have gone through the RSIEC’s enabling law, and there is nothing that precludes the appointment of anybody outside the state as chairman of the electoral management body.

“There is no law that bars a non-indigene from serving as Chairman of a state electoral commission.

“My impartiality is guaranteed because I have no affiliations in Rivers State. I will be fair and neutral,” he told the committee,” he argued.

Responding to Odey’s presentation, Senator Opeyemi who was resolved in standing by the committee’s decision said: “We are also in possession of the law, so make it available to the committee because in my opinion, the Independent National Electoral Commission is about the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When we say State Independent Electoral Commission, it is about that state.”

The Senate Leader added that the nomination raises fundamental concerns about public perception and legal precedent.

“This is not a matter we are just going to gloss over. It has to be something we can defend. Even if the law does not prohibit such an appointment, we must ensure it is not repugnant to public conscience,” the senator insisted.