The recent nomination by President Bola Tinubu of three statutory commissions in Rivers State, particularly the appointment of Dr. Michael Odey from Cross River to chair the State Independent Electoral Commission board, has stirred strong emotions among Rivers people.

According to the residents, at a time when trust in government institutions is fragile and tempers remain high over the declaration of a State of Emergency in the state, they wished that a qualified ‘unifier’ from the state was appointed.

A policy analyst and convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, Obinna Ebogidi, in his reaction, stated that the collective focus and interest in the state at the moment should shift from personalities to process.

He said, “What truly matters now is ensuring that the forthcoming local government elections are free, fair, credible, and in strict accordance with the law. Our people deserve leaders whose legitimacy is not in doubt—leaders chosen by the ballot, not by appointment. That is the surest path to restoring democratic governance and public confidence at the grassroots level”.

“So it is better we channel our energies into holding the commission accountable to the highest standards of transparency, rather than into divisive debates that distract from the real issues.”

Also reacting, a stakeholder and political analyst, Dr. Fynface Dunamene Fynface, blamed the developments on the state’s political elites failing to play politics according to the rules.

He said, ” We begged the Rivers’ political elites to sheath their sword and embrace peace, but that wasn’t achieved. The lesson from this, to all politicians, is that unnecessary prolonged political fights are not right, it has consequences”.

“So, they should not complain that non-Rivers indigenes are being brought in to take positions that rightfully belong to Rivers sons and daughters because it’s their failure to play politics according to the rules that have brought us this exploitation.”

The nominees by the President are expected to assume roles in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, the Civil Service Commission, and the Local Government Service Commission.