The Senate Committee on INEC and other electoral matters led by Senator Kabiru Gaya, today conduct the screening of five nominees for the position of INEC state commissioners. The five noniness include; Presidential Aide and APC member, Lauretta Onochie, Prof Kunle Cornelius, Saidu Babura Ahmad, Prof Sani Muhammad Adam and Dr Baba Bila.
During screening, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said, “I am aware that you are a political appointee of the President and you do everything to support him. I am also worried about the concerns of Civil Society Organisations and International Community on your nomination as INEC Commissioner.
“On the 1st July, you wrote a letter to Chairman of Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya and you said in paragraph five that “a register was opened and we all put our name as members of Buhari support organization.”
Senator Ekweremadu also encouraged Lauretta Onochie to emulate former minster of finance Kemi Adeosun and reject the nomination to protect the integrity of the President whom she so much love.
However, Senator Yahaya Lawal Gumau insisted that all allegations against Lauretta Onochie are based on sentiments.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti state said, the current INEC Chairman prof Yakubu had worked for President Buhari in different capacities and this did not count against him. Thus working for President Buhari should not account against Lauretta Onochie.
Senator Dickson also raised the fact that, INEC already has a National Commissioner from Delta state where Lauretta is from. He asked her to justify why she should be confirmed.
Honorable Gyang brought forward a court affidavit where Lauretta Onochie swore that she is involved in politics and she is a member of the All Progressives Congress.
– Via YIAGA Africa
May Ubeku 