In the face of deepening public distrust toward state-independent electoral commissions, often accused of dancing to the dictates of state governors, the newly appointed Chairman, Rivers State Electoral Commission, Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey, has pledged to chart a new course, one rooted in transparency, neutrality, and institutional integrity.
Speaking before the Senate Adhoc Committee constituted to oversee the River State Emergency Rule at a screening session, Odey confronted the elephant in the room: a widespread belief that local elections in Nigeria are stage-managed by governors through compromised electoral commissions.
“There is a loss of confidence and the subject is controversial,” he admitted. “People believe governors use these institutions to mortgage integrity. That’s my honest view.”
His words echoed long-standing frustrations from citizens and observers who see state electoral bodies as extensions of the executive, rather than independent arbiters of grassroots democracy.
Odey, however, insisted his tenure would be different. “I am not from River State. I owe no one allegiance but to the law. I will not be influenced. I will keep to the rules, procedures, and timelines,” he declared, reinforcing his neutrality.
For many, the promise of fairness is welcome news. Over the years, state local elections have been plagued by voter apathy, legal challenges, and near-universal victories for ruling parties in each state, often seen as proof of a flawed process.
Odey traced the root of this problem to a lack of stakeholder inclusion in electoral planning. “Opaque processes create gaps, and those gaps are filled with rumours, misinformation, and eventually rejection of outcomes,” he said.
“That’s why my top priority is to bring stakeholders into the electoral value chain so that they can understand, trust, and defend the process.”
Regarding the legality of his appointment, being from Cross River State, Odey expressed his readiness to comply with the law while urging for clarity. Though he referenced provisions he believes may bar external appointees, he deferred to legal review: “We must be able to defend every appointment. If there is any doubt, we’ll take a second look. It must be something we can defend.”
Observers say restoring public trust in state electoral commissions will take more than rhetoric—it will require institutional courage, transparent practices, and a willingness to challenge entrenched political interference.
President Bola Tinubu, in separate letters forwarded to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on June 12, 2025, sought the appointments of nominees into the Rivers State Electoral Commission, the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Civil Service Commission.
The committee commenced screening of the nominees on Tuesday.
