BY EDMOND ODOK – Despite being nominated by President Bola Tinubu for the top job, the Nigerian Senate has pointedly told Michael Odey that he cannot be the Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
In a bold move that has stunned many political commentators given its hitherto usual express endorsement of the Executive’s submissions, the Upper Legislative Chamber is insisting that there are constitutional concerns over Odey’s eligibility for the position.
Addressing Odey’s nomination quagmire during their screening session on Tuesday, the Senate Adhoc Committee on the Emergency Rule in Rivers State questioned the legality of appointing a non-indigene to preside over the State electoral body.
However, defending his eligibility arising from the Senate’s concerns over his state of origin, Odey boldly declared to the Committee-led by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, that though he is from Cross River State, his non-indigene status should not serve as a disqualifying factor.
Odey, who hails from the same state as the Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), further explained to the Committee thus; “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”.
But not swayed by Odey’s submission to the panel, Senator Opeyemi 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.”
Noting that the nomination raises fundamental questions about legal precedent as well as public perception, the Senate Leader said; “This is not a matter we are just going to gloss over. It has to be something we can defend.”
According to him; “Even if the law does not prohibit such an appointment, we must ensure it is not repugnant to public conscience. “
He said standing by its decision, the Committee would re-examine the eligibility criteria under the RSIEC law to determine if such an appointment could serve as a viable precedent for the future.
On the list of nominees screened by the Senate for the Commission’s membership are Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, and Arthur Nwafor.
Others include Chidi Halliday, Joyce Akaniwor, Olive A. Bruce, Chidi Halliday, and Godfrey Mbudiogha.
