Jega Reacts over Onochie’s appointment.
The Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has reacted to the controversies surrounding Lauretta Onochie’s appointment as INEC’s commissioner.
Jega stated this during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, adding that the controversy behind her nomination should have been avoided.
He urged NASS to apply the right laws concerning the issue to shun bias in any elections she may participate in.
“This kind of controversy is avoidable. Any person who generated such a controversy, the appointing authorities should be careful because you don’t want to appoint anybody that can raise suspicions or doubts or can lead to a loss of trust of the electoral management body.
“I’m sorry to say that from some of the documents that I have been privileged to see, both about her British citizenship and the very active participation in a political party up until 2019, you will try to avoid appointing such people into an electoral commission — because it can generate controversy.
“To be honest, the president can also withdraw that nomination. After all, there are so many women with credibility, with capacity, competence in both Delta and across Rivers, so why bring someone that can generate controversy and raise suspicions about the intention of the appointment,” Jega said.
Recall Empire had reported that Lauretta Onochie is currently serving President Buhari as Senior Special Assistant on New Media. Her nomination has been criticized by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and civil society organizations, emphasizing that she carries the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) membership card and is not appointed as an election officer.
Onochie had replied during her screening before the Senate that she is not partisan. She further stated that the opposition to her candidacy is because she is known to be non-partisan and someone who insists on due process and ensures the right thing is done.
