Rivers: Sole Administrator Ibas Appoints New RSIEC Chairman and Members

Port Harcourt, April 9, 2025: The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has appointed Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey as the new Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

This development was confirmed in an official statement released on Wednesday, signaling a restructuring of the state’s electoral body under the current emergency administration.

Complete List of Newly Appointed RSIEC Members

Alongside Dr. Odey, six other professionals have been appointed as RSIEC members:

• Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira – Member

• Professor (Dr.) Arthur Nwafor – Member

• Professor Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha – Member

• Professor (Dame) Joyce Akaninwor – Member

• Dr. (Mrs.) Olive A. Bruce – Member

• Professor Chidi Halliday – Member

These appointments are expected to steer the commission towards credible and transparent local government elections across Rivers State.

Emergency Rule

These changes follow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his political appointees. Since then, Sole Administrator Ibas has made significant administrative decisions, including the appointment of 23 new local government chairmen.

Ibas’s appointment comes despite a federal high order barring him from appointing Local government chairmen in Rivers.

Legal Challenge Ongoing

In reaction to the emergency rule, 11 governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court to challenge the President’s decision and restore democratic order in the state.