Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has provided reasons why Lauretta Onochi should not be a Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
He provides the presidency with these reasons after President Muhammadu Buhari included his adie on social media as part of the candidates to be considered as INEC commissioners.
Falana said in a statement that Onochie is a member of the APC and as a card-carrying member, she was not qualified.
Also, looking at the criteria provided in the constitution to determine who was fit for the position, Falana faulted the nomination of Onochie owing to her persistent attacks on members of the opposition.
He further states that a Commissioner of INEC must not be partisan and this does not apply in Onochie’s case. He points out that the president needs to consult with the council of state before appointing members of the electoral commission.
“In view of the desire of President Muhammadu Buhari to fill some vacancies in the Independent National Electoral Commission, it has become pertinent to draw the attention of the Council of State and Senate to the following provisions of the constitution.
“Paragraph B of Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule to the constitution provides that ‘The Council of State shall have the power to advise the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to (iv) the Independent National Electoral Commission including the appointment of the members of the commission,” said the Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“Pursuant to section 154 (1) of the constitution, the appointment of the members of the Independent National Electoral Commission shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate. Paragraph 14 of Part 1 of the third Schedule to the constitution as amended by Section 30, Act No 1 of 2010, a member of the Independent National Electoral Commission ‘shall be non-partisan,” he said.
