Rivers Sole Administrator, Ibas Appoints New RSIEC Chairman

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of a new chairman and members for the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

According to an official statement, Dr. Micheal Ekpai Odey has been named as the new RSIEC Chairman. He will be working alongside six members, including four professors.

The appointments were made public in a Government Special Announcement released on Wednesday by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika. The statement, which was shared with newsmen, noted that the appointments are effective from Monday, April 7, 2025.

It reads, “The following have also been appointed as Chairman and members of the Rivers State Electoral Commission:
“Dr Micheal Ekpai Odey, Chairman
Mr Lezaasi Lenee Torbira Member
Prof Author Nwafor
Professor Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha Member
Professor (Dame) Joyce Akaninwor Member
Dr (Mrs) Olive A. Bruce Member
Professor Chidi Halliday Member.
All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”

This development follows Ibas’ recent decision to suspend the heads of all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the state, including the previous leadership of RSIEC, which had been chaired by Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.).