Seventeen nominees put forward by President Bola Tinubu to serve on key commissions in Rivers State have declared their assets before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), as part of the formal process ahead of their confirmation by the Senate.
This disclosure was made by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during the screening session conducted by the Senate ad hoc committee charged with reviewing the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd).
According to Bamidele, the nominees had earlier received security clearance from both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, fulfilling a critical step required for public office holders.
Their asset declarations come just days after President Tinubu transmitted their names to the Senate for approval.
The nominees are drawn from three distinct bodies: the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC), and the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission (RSLGSC).
Breakdown of Nominees:
Civil Service Commission (5 nominees):
Dr. Barikor Baribuma (Chairman)
Lot Egopija
Ms. Maeve Ere-Bestman
Mrs. Joy Obiaju
Mrs. Charity Lloyd Harry
Electoral Commission (7 nominees):
Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman)
Mr. Lezaasi Torbira
Prof. Arthur Nwafor
Prof. Godfrey Mbudiogha
Prof. Joyce Akaniwor
Dr. (Mrs.) Olive A. Bruce
Prof. Chidi Halliday
Local Government Service Commission (7 nominees):
Israel N. Amadi (Chairman)
Linus Nwandem
Lady Christabel George-Didia
Dr. Tonye Willie Pepple
Richard Ewoh
Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (retd)
Sammy Apiafi
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All 17 candidates were introduced to the Senate committee by Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, who grouped them based on the commissions they are nominated to serve in.
Meanwhile, the screening of nominees for the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board is slated to take place on Wednesday.
The nominations mark a significant move in the ongoing administrative reorganization in Rivers State, as the federal government continues efforts to stabilize governance structures and reinforce public institutions in the state.