In a significant step toward restoring governance structures in Rivers State, 17 nominees appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve on three key commissions have officially declared their assets before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and secured security clearance from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police.
The disclosure was made during the Senate ad hoc committee screening session in Abuja, chaired by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on Tuesday. The nominees were presented to the Senate by Basheer Lado, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, and grouped into three categories:
Commission Appointments: A Breakdown
1. 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
2. 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 (Mrs) Olive A. Bruce
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Prof Chidi Halliday
3. 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
Due Process Followed, Senate Assures Public
Speaking at the screening, Senator Bamidele confirmed that all nominees had fulfilled the constitutional and legal requirements for public office:
“They have gone through screening by the DSS and Police, and none had issues with security clearance. They have also fulfilled the constitutional obligation of declaring their assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau,” Bamidele said.
He also added that no petitions or objections were received against any of the nominees—clearing the path for a smooth confirmation process.
“The screening process will conclude shortly, after which our findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Senate in plenary for further action,” he added.
More Appointments Pending
The Senate committee also disclosed that nominees for the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board will be screened on Wednesday, further indicating the federal government’s broader agenda to restore functionality to state institutions.
Context: Federal Intervention in Rivers
President Tinubu’s nominations follow the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State, a move aimed at restoring stability and administrative order in the oil-rich state amid political turbulence.
The screening and likely confirmation of these nominees mark a critical juncture in the effort to rebuild governance and entrench democratic processes in the state’s civil, electoral, and local government institutions.
