…Say Appointment ll Erode Electoral Gains
…Urge Senate Not To Confirm Her
By John Nwokocha Abuja
Leading lights of civil society organizations in Nigeria have rejected the nomination of Ms Lauretta Onochie as national commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We completely reject this nomination, which does not sit well in the recent gains of the electoral system in the country”. Coalition of civil society organizations said in their swift reaction to the president’s letter of nomination to the leadership of the Senate yesterday, in Abuja.
Onochie is a serving aide to President Buhari on New Media and social media.
“Whereas the 1999 Nigeria constitution (As amended) in the 3rd schedule, part 2f, paragraph 14(b) provides that National Electoral Commissioners of INEC, shall be non-partisan and persons of unquestionable integrity, who shall be nominated by the president”. The CSOs insist.
In a statement endorsed by leadership of the CSOs comprising:
EZENWA NWAGWU ED, PEERING ADVOCACY AND ADVANCEMENT CENTER, CONVERNER SAY NO CAMPAIGN NIGERIA
IDAYAT HASSAN ED, CENTRE FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (CDD)
FAITH NWADISHI ED, CENTER FOR TRANSPARENCY ADVOCACY (CTA)
SAMSON ITODO ED, YIAGA AFRICA
VIVIAN BELLO ED, SOCIAL ACTION
OLAREWAJU SURAJ ED, HEDA RESOURCE CENTER
OKECHUKWU NWANGUMA ED, RULE OF LAW AND ACCOUNTABILITY ADVOCACY CENTRE. RULAAC
ZIKIRULLAHI IBRAHIM ED, Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED)
- ABIOLA AKIODE ED, WARDC
COMFORT ATTAH ED, ASHH FOUNDATION, BAUCHI
ADEMOLA ADEBISI ED, VALUE REORIENTATION FOR COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT, OSUN
HASSAN WURNO ED, EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES OF NIGERIA, EEIN, SOKOTO
HABILA MUHAMMAD KUDU ED, NETWORK FOR PEACE AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT, NPAID, NIGER
PHILIP KALIO SUPPORT INITIATIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT(SISDEV). RIVERS, the group said categorically that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, is an independent body overseeing the electoral processes in the country without any affiliation to any of the political parties should not have any of its governing bodies member identified as a person sympathetic to any political party.
They said they were “troubled that Lauretta Onochie, a serving aide of the President who openly supports the president and his political party, has been nominated to the position of National Commissioner, INEC”.
They argued that Ms Onochie’s several open confrontations with opposition elements through the media disqualified her for the position, stressing that she failed this critical test.
“Any INEC National commissioner should enjoy the trust and confidence of all parties concerned (Ruling and Opposition),” the statement reads.
The statement continues:
“As civil society actors and veterans in election observation in the country, having contributed to the electoral gains in Nigeria, we condemn this nomination and affirm that this will erode the gains we have made in our electoral reforms and cast aspersions on the sincerity of the President in ensuring a reformed electoral process in the country.
“If the President feels so strongly to reward Lauretta Onochie for her loyalty and die-hard support, there are other areas of appointment the president can consider, but certainly not INEC.
“To do otherwise means upsetting INEC’s arrangement of non-partisanship.
We, therefore, call on the President to withdraw this nomination with immediate effect and in the alternative call on the Senate to act as gatekeepers by not confirming this appointment.
Hey There. I found your blog the usage of msn. That is a really well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
Great awesome things here. I?¦m very satisfied to see your post. Thanks so much and i’m having a look forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
379410 148485This internet website is my aspiration, very excellent style and style and Perfect subject matter. 119721
55408 990567Thrilled you desire sensible business online guidelines keep wearing starting tools suitable for the particular web-based business. cash 114271
829189 401224It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and its time to be pleased. Ive read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some intriguing things or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this write-up. I want to read even a lot more issues about it! 877365
952692 252332Glad to be one of several visitants on this awful website : D. 665674
338814 16108I like this web site its a master peace ! Glad I detected this on google . 869812
241880 780266Yay google is my king assisted me to uncover this outstanding site ! . 11908
751377 715394It is hard to find knowledgeable individuals on this subject, but you sound like you know what you are talking about! Thanks 483556
629336 350992Most suitable boyfriend speeches, or else toasts. are almost always transported eventually by way of the entire wedding party and are nonetheless required to be very intriguing, amusing and even enlightening together. very best mans speech 193219
477119 820936Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog! 580360
577071 471551Extremely intriguing info !Perfect just what I was seeking for! 759941
14032 523278I came towards the exact conclusion as properly some time ago. Fantastic write-up and I will probably be positive to look back later for more news. 805643
982838 796561We are a group of volunteers and opening a new system in our community. Your web internet site given us with valuable info to work on. Youve done an impressive job and our entire community will likely be grateful to you. 867136
821964 70598No far more s . All posts of this qaulity from now on 898696
710103 836731Extremely interesting topic , thanks for posting . 559978
373720 899725A extremely very intriguing article! Ill try to track that continues here! Thank you. 322140
551864 170291But wanna admit that this is extremely useful , Thanks for taking your time to write this. 270715
283513 146038This really is the proper blog for anybody who hopes to learn about this subject. You know a complete lot its almost tough to argue along (not that I really would wantHaHa). You definitely put a whole new spin for a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just fantastic! 509104
236091 517666How much of an exciting piece of writing, continue creating companion 503236
763363 725095I like the valuable info you give within your articles. Ill bookmark your weblog and check once more here frequently. Im quite certain Ill learn lots of new stuff correct here! Best of luck for the next! 199879
413316 197681Deference to op , some superb entropy. 792271
925417 618862Can I just say what a relief to search out somebody who actually is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know how to deliver a difficulty to light and make it important. Extra folks require to learn this and perceive this facet with the story. I cant consider youre no much more common because you positively have the gift. 943590
808973 90740Following study a few of the blog posts on your personal web site now, we actually like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark internet site list and are checking back soon. Pls consider my web-site likewise and make me aware in the event you agree. 996578
367634 59512Just a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style . 499122
351483 135428We offer the very best practical and most applicable solutions. All our Sydney plumbers are experienced and qualified and are able to quickly assess your difficulty and discover the most effective remedy. 415044
147026 213938Wonderful post, I conceive internet site owners really should larn a whole lot from this web site its really user friendly . 162253
499974 240027A weblog like yours should be earning much money from adsense.~::- 931909
647679 318825I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is very best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind. 447742
695393 998559Glad to be 1 of a lot of visitants on this awing internet website : D. 682551