Senate Rejects Onochie As INEC National Commissioner

The Senate, on Tuesday, declined the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as a National Commissioner of the INEC.

Chairman of the Committee, Kabiru Gaya, in his report said Onochie did not satisfy the provisions of the Federal Character Principles.

The Senate at the committee of the whole subsequently voted against her nomination.

Onochie nomination has sparked controversy as many stakeholders called for her rejection due to her involvement in partisan politics.

Onochie is a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a staunch supporter of president Muhammadu Buhari as she’s known to bicker with critics of the president on social media.

Although she denied being a member of the APC and also claimed she had not had anything to do with Buhari after the 2019 election. However, her claims of resigning her membership of the party have been found to be false as court document showed that she’s still a member of the ruling party and partakes in its activities.

Many averred that someone like Onochie, who has publicly shown her resentment for those who do not share her political sentiment and line of thoughts, can’t be trusted with a position that requires fairness and credibility.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South), in his presentation, said the Committee received several petitions against the nominations of Ms. Lauretta Onochie and Professor Sani Muhammad Adam.

He disclosed that the petitions against Lauretta Onochie were against the backdrop that her involvement in politics and alleged membership of a political party.

He explained further that her nomination violated the Federal Character Principle as there is already a serving National Electoral Commissioner from Delta State, Barr. Mary Agbamuche-Mbu who was screened and confirmed by the 8th Senate.

“In the case of Ms. Lauretta Onochie’s, having studied her curriculum vitae and other relevant documents, followed by exhaustive interaction around the petitions against her nomination which she responded to accordingly, including attesting that she is not a registered member of any political party,” Gaya said.

According to the lawmaker, the Committee bound by the provisions of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amendment) on Federal Character Principle, refused to recommend Onochie for confirmation.

“Therefore, based on the provisions of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) on Federal Character Principle as earlier stated, and in order for the Committee and the Senate to achieve fairness to other states and political zones in the country, the committee is unable to recommend Ms. Lauretta Onochie for confirmation as a National Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he added.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG