Yan Nigeria
The Nigerian Senate has ratified the appointments of chairpersons and board members for four agencies in Rivers State, as proposed for confirmation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Naija News reports that this confirmation followed the Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers presenting its screening report during a plenary session in Abuja.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti), presented the report on their screening and requested confirmation.
The individuals confirmed for the Rivers Civil Service Commission include Dr. Barikor Livinus Baribuma as Chairman, alongside Amb. Lot Peter Egopija, Ms. Maeve Ere-Bestman, Mrs. Joy Obiaju, and Mrs. Charity Lloyd Harry as members.
For the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey was confirmed as chairman, while Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbudiogha, Prof. Joyce Akaniwor, Dr. Olive A. Bruce, and Prof. Chidi Halliday were confirmed as members.
Additionally, Mr. Israel Amadi was confirmed as chairman of the Rivers Local Government Service Commission, with Mr. Linus Nwandem, Christabel George-Didia, Dr. Tonye D. Willie Pepple, Mr. Richard U. Ewoh, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), and Mr. Sammy Apiafi confirmed as members.
For the Rivers Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Dawari George was confirmed as chairman, while Dr. Chituru Adiele was appointed as Executive Director, with Prof. Kaladada Korubp, Dr. Benjamin Osarolaka Osaro, Mrs. Anne Obomanu, Prof. Grace Robinson Bassey, Dr. Mike Alagala, and Mr. Sunday Asetubobe confirmed as members.
The Senate has also confirmed the appointment of Mr. Dagogo Alabo to represent the Ministry of Health and Ms. Carmelita Ekenyi Agborubere for the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Additionally, the following individuals were confirmed: Mr. James Ngochindo Epobari, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance; Mr. Clifford Paul, representative of ALGON in Rivers; Mr. Luke Usang, representative of the Local Government Civil Service Commission; and Mr. Romeo Osima Isokariari for the Ministry of Justice.
Earlier, while presenting the committee’s screening report on the nominees, Bamidele stated that the nominees responded to questions pertinent to their respective appointments, meeting the committee’s expectations.
He noted that one nominee for the position of a member of the Rivers Primary Health Care Board, Victoria Poma Samuel, who represents the Ministry of Local Government Affairs as an ex-officio member, was deferred due to her absence during the screening.
Bamidele affirmed that all screened nominees met the qualifications necessary for the roles of chairpersons and members of the boards and agencies in Rivers.
He mentioned that there were no petitions against the nominations of any of the candidates, and that security checks conducted on the nominees did not indicate any adverse characteristics.
He urged the Senate to endorse their appointments.
Lawmakers Raise Concern Over RSIEC Chairman Nominee
However, Senators Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), Ali Ndume (APC-Borno), and Abba Moro (PDP-Benue) expressed their concerns regarding the nomination of the RSIEC chairman, who hails from Cross River, the same state as the Rivers Sole Administrator.
Ningi pointed out that numerous qualified indigenes from Rivers could be considered for this role.
Ndume, for his part, emphasised that the Senate should not hastily approve any nominations, suggesting that the Senate ought to be guided by constitutional principles at times.
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), asserted that the constitution serves as the fundamental law of the land, noting that the nominee for the RSIEC chairmanship does not contravene any legal provisions.
Further justifying the nomination and screening process, Bamidele cautioned against politicising the issue.
“I’m saying there is no room for grandstanding; however, rather than grandstand, 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,” he said.
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