By Chioma Iruke
Despite public outcry Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday re-nominated his media aide, Lauretta Onochie and five others as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioners.
On Tuesday, the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), who presented an executive communication, asked the Senate to consider the request of President Buhari on the confirmations of the following persons for appointment as commissioners of INEC in accordance with paragraph 14 part I(F) of the third schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended.
The nomination commissioners are Prof Muhammad Sani Kallah (Commissioner Katsina); Lauretta Onoche (Commissioner Delta); Prof Kunle Cornelius Ajayi (Commissioner Ekiti); Said Babura Ahmad (Commissioner Jigawa); Prof Sani Muhammad Adam (Commissioner North- Central) and Dr Baba Bills (Commissioner North- East).
Seconding the motion raised by the Senate Leader, the Minority leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, made a parable to express his displeasure on the nomination of Onochie, who was rejected earlier.
Abaribe said that it is not when they have passed the evil forest that they will be dragged back.
Abaribe specifically mentioned the name of Lauretta Onochie (Delta) as a nominee they have rejected, adding that they will meet at the committee meetings.
“She was rejected but her name has been repacked and has resurfaced as Commissioner from Delta State,” Abaribe said.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the plenary said all the nominees are national commissioners adding that there is no change of request from the President.
“The request is hereby refer to the committee on INEC to report back in two weeks,” Lawan said.
Recall that eight months ago, the nomination of Onochie was rejected. Her first nomination was sent to the Senate on 12 October 2020, but she was not cleared.
