By Infactng
In yet another move that clearly shows the partisanship and undisguised nepotism, President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated his
highly controversial Special Assistant on Social Media, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie from Delta state as a National Electoral Commissioner of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Mr. Buhari today asked the Nigerian Senate to approve the nomination of Onochie and three others for the position.
INEC Commissioners assist the Chairman in overseeing the conduct of free and fair elections in their areas of coverage. They must be and
seen to be impartial and non-align to any political party, group or interest.
“With the nomination of his Special Assistant, who is notorious for abusing perceived opponents of the President including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, President Buhari has shown he cares little for rule of law, fairness and justice,” Adekola Sanni, a public
affairs commentator said.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan received and read the Presidents letter
at plenary. The letter reads in part: “Pursuant to Paragraph 14 of
Part I(F) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I hereby forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following four (4)
Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC).”
Others nominated are: Prof. Muhammad Sani Kallah (National from
Katsina; Prof. Kunle Cornelius Ajayi from Ekiti and Saidu Babura Ahmad
(Resident Electoral Commissioner) from Jigawa.
Moreover, in a separate letter to the Upper Chamber, also requested
confirmation of appointment of three Executive Directors of the Board
of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
According to the President, the request for confirmation was in
accordance with the provision of Section 2(3) of the Federal Roads
Maintenance Agency (Amendment) Act 2007.
The nominees for confirmation are: Engr. Ifeanyi Christian Kammelu
(Executive Director – South East); Muhammad Gambo Bizi (Executive
Director – North East) and Prof. Abubakar Ismail (Executive Director –
North West).
