The Nigerian Senate has begun the screening of 17 individuals nominated by President Bola Tinubu for key positions in Rivers State. The nominees are for appointment into three major institutions: the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, the Civil Service Commission, and the Local Government Service Commission.
All nominees have reportedly completed their asset declarations with the Code of Conduct Bureau and were cleared by security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made this known during the screening exercise conducted by a Senate ad hoc committee monitoring the activities of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd).
The nominations were submitted to the Senate a week prior, and the screening covered candidates across the three commissions:
Rivers State Civil Service Commission
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Dr. Barikor Baribuma (Chairman)
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Lot Egopija
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Ms. Maeve Ere-Bestman
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Mrs. Joy Obiaju
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Mrs. Charity Lloyd Harry
Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission
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Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman)
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Mr. Lezaasi Torbira
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Prof. Arthur Nwafor
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Prof. Godfrey Mbudiogha
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Prof. Joyce Akaniwor
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Dr. Olive Bruce
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Prof. Chidi Halliday
Rivers State Local Government Service Commission
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Israel N. Amadi (Chairman)
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Linus Nwandem
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Lady Christabel George-Didia
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Dr. Tonye Willie Pepple
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Richard Ewoh
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Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (retd)
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Sammy Apiafi
The nominees were presented by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, who categorized them accordingly.
Bamidele assured that the screening process adhered strictly to due process, noting that no security concerns or petitions had been raised against any of the nominees.
“Each nominee has undergone mandatory asset declaration and passed security checks. There are no outstanding petitions or objections from the public or committee members,” Bamidele confirmed.
He added that the final report and recommendations would be submitted to the full Senate for consideration at the next plenary session.
Meanwhile, the screening of nominees for the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board is scheduled for Wednesday.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and support for democratic governance in the state.
