The Nigerian Senate has finally bowed to pressure from civil society groups, opposition parties and Nigerians in general as they rejected the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner.
The rejection of the presidential aide was based on Federal Character Principle and to adhere strictly to the Act, as the Senate said that she is from Delta State, the same as the other INEC Commissioner, May Agbamuche, who is the Chairman, Legal Services, INEC.
The resolution of the Senate follows the consideration of Senator Kabiru Gaya-led Senate Committee on INEC.
The non-confirmation of Onochie followed the massive outcry and condemnation that has trailed her nomination, especially from members of the opposition and civil society organizations who claim she is a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
What you should know
It can be recalled that on October 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the Senate to confirm the appointment of Onochie who is currently the Presidential aide on Social Media, and three others as National Commissioners of INEC.
While answering questions from the senators during her screening last Thursday, Onochie, insisted she is not partisan.
She admitted that she had seen the petitions against her which were not only from the opposition but also from people in the APC, noting that it was because she is known to be non-partisan and someone who insists on due process.
Onochie, however, insisted that since President Buhari won his second term, she has removed herself from all things political adding that from 2019 till date she has not had anything to do with any political organisation and did not partake in APC’s recent validation exercise.
