Senate has rejected the nomination of Lauretta Onochie, presidential aide, as a commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Onochie’s non-confirmation followed the report by the Senate Committee on (INEC), Senator Kabir Gaya who said her nomination breaches Federal Character principles.
Kabir Gaya cited Section 14 (1) 3 of the Constitution, stating that there is currently a serving commissioner from Delta state, where Onochie hails from.
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Onochie’s nomination has been surrounded by controversy as many Nigerians including political pundits opposed her nomination on the grounds that she is partisan and a member of All Progressives Congress (APC), but the presidential aide said she resigned her membership of the ruling party in 2019.
Last Thursday, when she appeared before the senate screening committee, Onochie said contrary to public claims, she does not belong to any political party.
Also expressing disapproval, Attahiru Jega, former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday called for the withdrawal of the nomination.
In an interview on Channels Television, Jega who presided over the election that brought in President Muhammadu Buhari said the controversy trailing Onochie’s nomination should have been avoided.
He said the controversy surrounding her nomination is not good for the integrity of elections she may oversee, if she is confirmed.
Additionally, Jega called on the lawmakers to apply the laws regarding the issue, in order to avoid a situation whereby elections she participates in may be viewed as being bias.
More details to come.
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