Defiant Lawan insists partisan Lauretta must be screened for INEC job
The president of the Nigerian Senate Ahmad Lawan has insisted that the screening of presidential aide Lauretta Onochie as INEC commissioner must continue, in disregard to the provision of the Constitution which stipulates non-partisan status for officials of the electoral body.
Mr Lawan on Wednesday directed the senate committee on INEC to proceed with the screening of Ms Onochie with the view of confirming her appointment as a commissioner of the electoral body despite series of criticisms.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in October 2020 sparked controversies after he forwarded the name of Ms Onochie, his personal assistant on social media, alongside other nominees for the INEC top job, to the upper legislative chambers for confirmation as national commissioner of the electoral body from Delta State.
Mr Buhari’s move was met with heavy criticism from Nigerians who believed that Ms Onochie, an operative of the ruling All Progressives Congress, does not qualify to hold such a crucial position adding that her appointment would be undemocratic.
The Senate then rejected the president’s nominations altogether, urging him to reconsider his choices.
Mr Buhari however represented the rejected list including the controversial Ms Onochie to the Senate.
Leader of the Senate Yahaya Abdullahi presented Mr Buhari’s communication seeking confirmation of Ms Onochie and five others at the plenary on Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Eyinnaya Abaribe was then asked to second the motion but he declined vehemently on grounds that Ms Onochie had earlier been rejected by the Senate on October 12, 2020.
Mr Lawan notwithstanding insisted that the Senate committee screen the nominees.
The provision of the Constitution states that appointees of the electoral body must be non-partisan and must not be affiliated to any political party.
Section 14(2a) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, have that “a member of the commission shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity.”
Also, Section 14(3b) of the Schedule adds that “there shall be for each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, a Resident Electoral Commissioner who shall be a person of unquestionable integrity and shall not be a member of any political party,” a provision that does not exclude the appointment of Resident Electoral Commissioners.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
Japan jacks up permanent residency fee by 2,000%
“There are citizens who feel anxiety and a sense of unfairness,” Ms Takaichi wrote on social media days before the hike.
States
Gov. Yusuf clears N32 billion pension, gratuity liabilities
Mr Tofa said the Mr Yusuf-led administration had continued to prioritise the welfare of workers and pensioners.
States
30th Anniversary: Gov. Oyebanji hails Ekiti’s giant strides
Mr Oyebanji urged residents to participate actively in the activities marking the anniversary.
Hot news Home top
Your Independence Day speech fake, full of empty promises; tell Nigerians your govt’s feats in three years, Atiku tackles Tinubu
“Nigerians are entitled to ask: what have you done with the time already given to you?,” Mr Abubakar said.
States
Gov Aliyu seeks collaboration to end insecurity in Sokoto
Mr Aliyu stressed the need for greater collaboration between the federal and state governments to fight banditry and other forms of criminality bedevilling parts of the country.
