Senate rejects Lauretta Onochie as INEC commissioner

The Senate has rejected Lauretta Onochie as a national commissioner for the electoral body of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The rejection of Onochie’s controversial appointment was based on the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on INEC which had the responsibility of screening Onochie and other nominees.

The committee chairman, Kabiru Gaya, who presented the report, recommended that Onochie’s was disqualified based on federal character principles. He also added that there is currently a serving commissioner from Delta State, where she hails from.

The Senate at the committee of the whole subsequently voted against her nomination. Before now, Onochie’s nomination had raised dust among the opposition and political observers.

According to them, INEC commissioners are required by law to be non-partisan. Gaya disclosed that the petitions against Onochie were against her involvement in politics and alleged membership of a political party.