Lawmakers at the senate
The Senate has confirmed the appointments of chairmen and board members of four agencies in Rivers State, presented for confirmation by President Bola Tinubu.
The confirmation followed the presentation of the report on screening by the Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers.
The Senate confirmed the following nominees: Dr. Barikor Livinus Baribuma as Chairman of Rivers Civil Service Commission, Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey as Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Mr. Israel Amadi as Chairman of Rivers Local Government Service Commission, and Dr. Dawari George as Chairman of Rivers Primary Health Care Management Board, along with other members and officials.
*Senators raise concerns*
Some senators raised concerns over the nomination of Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey, an indigene of Cross River State, as the chairman of RSIEC. Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) questioned the nomination, saying, “There are many competent Rivers indigenes that could be nominated for that position.”
Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) also expressed concerns, stating, “The Senate should not be quick to approve anything… The Senate should sometimes be guided by the dictates of the constitution.”
The Chairman of the Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti), responded to the concerns, advising against politicizing the matter.
He said, “I’m saying there is no room for grandstanding… If we as a parliament disagree with the court on this, what is expected of us is to bring the bill and legislate it into action.”
The Senate ultimately confirmed the nominees despite the concerns raised.
