The 17 individuals nominated by President Bola Tinubu to head three key commissions in Rivers State have formally declared their assets before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), following security clearance from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police.
The nominees are to oversee the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, and Rivers State Local Government Service Commission.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed the development during a screening session conducted by the Senate ad hoc committee overseeing activities linked to the Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired).
The asset declaration follows President Tinubu’s submission of the nominees’ names to the Senate for confirmation, barely a week prior.
Nominees by Commission:
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Rivers State Civil Service Commission:
Dr Barikor Baribuma (Chairman), Lot Egopija, Ms Maeve Ere-Bestman, Mrs Joy Obiaju, and Mrs Charity Lloyd Harry. -
Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission:
Dr Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman), Mr Lezaasi Torbira, Prof Arthur Nwafor, Prof Godfrey Mbudiogha, Prof Joyce Akaniwor, Dr (Mrs) Olive A. Bruce, and Prof Chidi Halliday. -
Rivers State Local Government Service Commission:
Israel N. Amadi (Chairman), Linus Nwandem, Lady Christabel George-Didia, Dr Tonye Willie Pepple, Richard Ewoh, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (retired), and Sammy Apiafi.
The nominees were presented to the Senate committee by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, who grouped them into the three designated categories.
Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to screen additional nominees for the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board on Wednesday.
Senator Bamidele, who chairs the 18-member screening committee, reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to democratic principles and due process in the governance of Rivers State.
He noted that all nominees had passed security checks and complied with constitutional requirements, including declaration of assets.
“None of them had any issue with security clearance, which is germane to what we are doing here,” he said.
Bamidele also confirmed there had been no petitions filed against any of the nominees.
“There is no inhibiting factor that would really prevent us from screening any of the nominees,” he added.
He explained that once the screening concludes, the committee’s findings and recommendations would be forwarded to the full Senate for consideration and potential confirmation.
