PORT HARCOURT — President Bola Tinubu’s recent nomination of three individuals to head statutory commissions in Rivers State — particularly the appointment of Dr. Michael Odey from Cross River as Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission — has triggered strong reactions among residents and stakeholders.
Many Rivers indigenes have voiced frustration, citing the need for local representation, especially amid the state’s ongoing political tension and the controversial declaration of a State of Emergency.
Critics argue that the appointment of a non-indigene to lead such a sensitive commission undermines efforts to rebuild trust in public institutions and could further deepen existing political divisions in the state.
Obinna Ebogidi, a policy analyst and convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, urged citizens to focus on the integrity of the upcoming local government elections rather than fixating on the identities of appointees.
“What truly matters now is ensuring that the forthcoming local government elections are free, fair, credible, and in strict accordance with the law,” Ebogidi said. “Our people deserve leaders whose legitimacy is not in doubt—leaders chosen by the ballot, not by appointment.”
He cautioned against divisive debates that could distract from the broader goal of restoring democracy and accountability at the grassroots level.
Echoing similar sentiments, political analyst Dr. Fynface Dunamene Fynface blamed Rivers political elites for the situation, arguing that their failure to resolve internal disputes paved the way for federal interventions.
“We begged the Rivers political elites to sheath their sword and embrace peace, but that wasn’t achieved,” Fynface said. “So they should not complain that non-Rivers indigenes are now being appointed into positions that rightfully belong to Rivers sons and daughters. It’s the consequence of prolonged political fighting.”
President Tinubu’s nominees are expected to serve on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, the Civil Service Commission, and the Local Government Service Commission. The appointments come at a time of heightened political sensitivity in the state, with calls for calm and institutional accountability growing louder.
