In a charged and deeply polarising session, the Senate, yesterday, confirmed the appointment of a Cross River State indigene, Dr Michael Odeh, as Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), a decision that triggered fierce pushback from lawmakers and ignited warnings of looming political unrest in the state.

It also confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for key positions across four agencies in Rivers.

The confirmation followed the presentation of the screening report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), during plenary.

What began as a routine confirmation hearing quickly turned into a dramatic confrontation over legality, morality and democratic principles, as opposition senators accused the Federal Government of “hijacking democracy” under the guise of constitutional compliance.

“You mean to tell us that in all of Rivers State, no one is qualified to conduct their own elections?” asked a visibly angry Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central). “This is not just inappropriate. It is inflammatory.”

Odeh, whose nomination came under the emergency administrative rule in Rivers, shares a state of origin with Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator appointed by the Presidency. Critics immediately linked the move to a broader political agenda.

Although the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Rivers, led by Bamidele, who is Senate Leader, recommended Odeh’s confirmation and insisted no constitutional provision had been breached, it failed to quell growing concerns.

Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, cited precedents, including the Head of Service in Abia State being from Edo, to justify inter-state appointments.

But that line of defence did little to pacify the chamber. “We are not guided by the Constitution alone,” said Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South). “We are guided by conscience, common sense and the mandate of those who sent us here. This is not neutrality; it is domination dressed in law.”

Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, cautioned that the Rivers crisis required sensitivity, not provocation.

“Rivers is not an APC state; it is under emergency rule. This appointment raises red flags about federal overreach,” he said.

In hushed tones, even some APC lawmakers reportedly expressed unease.

“This may pass procedurally, but it will explode politically,” a senior senator was overheard saying.

Others described the move as a case of “constitutional colonialism” where legality is used to suppress local autonomy.

Despite strong dissent and repeated objections, the Senate confirmed Odeh alongside other nominees for the Rivers State Local Government Civil Service Commission and the Primary Healthcare Management Board.

The Senate also passed the Rivers State 2025 Budget of N1.48 trillion, which had earlier been defended by the sole administrator before the Bamidele committee.

Senators Ningi, Ndume and Moro formally requested that their dissent be recorded in the official proceedings.

“We may have lost the vote,” one senator said while exiting the chamber, “but history will remember this as the day Rivers people were denied their right to choose.”

Bamidele noted that all screened nominees for the four agencies demonstrated knowledge relevant to their prospective roles, met the constitutional requirements, and passed security checks. No petitions were filed against them.

The confirmed nominees include the Chairman,
Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Dr BarikorBaribuma; Chairman, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Israel Amadi; Chairman, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr Dawari George and Odey as RSIEC boss.

The chairmen were confirmed with their members.

One nominee, Victoria Samuel, representing the Ministry of Local Government Affairs on the Primary Health Board, was stood down due to her absence during the screening.