ABUJA — The Senate committee in charge of the Independent National Electoral Commission says Lauretta Onochie was rejected because she hails from the same state with a serving INEC commissioner, May Agbamuche.
Her confirmation will be a violation of the Federal Character Principle which dictates that the committee must ensure that there is no dominance of persons from one place or the dominance of a few ethnic groups.
Kabiru Gaya, chairman of the committee during a plenary session explained that the confirmation of Onochie will also be against the interest of the citizens who had outrightly rejected her upon nomination by President Buhari.
Onochie who is a presidential aide had been nominated for the position in October 2020 by President Buhari. Her nomination drew widespread criticism and protest with many claiming she is an ardent member of the ruling All Progress Congress.
However, the presidential aide said she resigned her membership of the ruling party in 2019.
According to Gaya, the committee concluded on disapproval after studying the mood of citizens.
“We studied the mood of Nigerians. We could not approve the appointment of Onochie because she is from the same state as an INEC commissioner from Delta State, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, whose tenure may expire by December this year.
“Agbamuche-Mbu is still serving in INEC till December this year. That’s why we cannot clear another candidate from the state.
“President Buhari actually specified her (Agbamuche) state, which is Delta, in the letter.
“Also, during her confirmation by the 8th Senate, I was there when two senators from Delta, Messrs Ovie Omo-Agege and James Manager, stood up to congratulate the Senate for confirming her.
“We also got records from the past senate screening that Agbamuche-Mbu was a nominee from Delta state,” he said.
