INEC Job: Senate rejects Lauretta Onochie’s nomination as commissioner

Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday rejected the nomination of President Muhammadu Buhari’s candidate, Lauretta Onochie as an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner.

The rejection followed the massive outcry that has trailed her nomination, especially from members of the opposition PDP and civil society organisations who alleged that she is a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Buhari had in October 2020, written to the Senate to confirm the appointment of Onochie who is currently his media aide on Social Media, and three others as Commissioners of INEC.

In her introductory remarks during her screening last Thursday, Onochie, however, insisted she is not partisan.

The nominee noted that she had seen the petitions against her, claiming that they were not only from the opposition but also from people in the APC, saying that it was because she is known to be non-partisan and someone who insists on due process.

Onochie insisted that since President Buhari won his second term, she has removed herself from all things political.

According to her, from 2019 till date she has not had anything to do with any political organisation, insisting that she did not partake in APC’s recent validation exercise.