By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
To the surprise of many, the Nineth Senate has aligned with Nigerians as it has turned down the nomination of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Ms. Lauretta Onochie, for the position of a National Commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Upper Legislative House on Tuesday declared the controversial nominee ineligible for the position.
Reading his report, Chairman Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya said Onochie’s nomination was in breach of the Principle of Federal Character Commission, enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
Gaya recalled that Delta state, which she was supposed to represent has been adequately represented by May Agbamuche-Mbu, an INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Legal Services of the Commission who is also from Delta state as Onochie.
Nigerians especially Civil Society groups, legal luminaries, opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and some state Governors including Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike were in the same boat by calling on the Senate to reject Onochie’s nomination.
