Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta
Onochie
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has asked
President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the nomination of his aide,
Lauretta Onochie, as a commissioner of the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Convener of Situation
Room, Clement Nwankwo, said Onochie’s nomination is an attempt to
weaken the efforts to build a credible electoral process in
Nigeria.
“Situation Room calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to
immediately withdraw her nomination,” the statement partly
read.
“Her nomination amounts to a major attempt at undermining
efforts to build credibility for an improved electoral process in
the country.”
While citing the 1999 constitution, Nwankwo said paragraph 14
forbids a “partisan politician” as a member of the electoral
body.
He argued that the presidential aide is a “known partisan
supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari and his ruling party, the
All Progressives Congress (APC).”
Nwankwo asked the Senate to disregard her nomination if
President Buhari fails to withdraw it.
His reaction followed President Buhari’s request for the
National Assembly to confirm Onochie as INEC National Commissioner
representing Delta State.
The President is also seeking confirmation of the appointment of
three other; Professor Mohammed Sani (Katsina); Professor Kunle
Ajayi (Ekiti), and Seidu Ahmed (Jigawa).