… May Explore Legal Action Against Lawmakers, FG
By Williams Anuku Abuja
Over ten civil society organisations have again faulted the Federal Government for transmitting the name of Mrs Lauretta Onochie to the National Assembly for confirmation as one of the National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
At a program on Wednesday in Abuja, they prevailed on the Senate to reject her nomination on the grounds that she is too partisan and infact a card carrying member of political parties in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Some of the CSOs who moved against her nomination includes Yiaga Africa, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa PAACA, International Press Centre, the Albino Foundation, Centre For Citizens With Disability CDD among others.
They equally demanded that beyond Onochie’s rejection by the Senate Committee on INEC, the National Assembly must ensure that proper scrutiny and due diligence should be exercised in confirming other nominees, including ensuring that nominees to positions of INEC are individuals with impeccable character, unquestionable neutral inclinations, disposition and competence.
According to the CSOs, failure to yield to these demands may elicit legal actions against the presidency because the development may set a negative precedence for the electoral body.
“Mrs Lauretta Onochie is not qualified to be appointed as INEC’s National Commissioner based on the fact that she is a British citizen, thus falling short of the constitutional requirements for being appointed to that position as stated in sections 156(1a) and 66(1a) of the 1999 Constitution.
“Further proof of Mrs Onochie being a British citizen is contained in the fact that until recently, she was a full, card carrying member of the British Conservative Party, even contesting elections for a councillorship position in Thames Ward in the London Borough of Barking and Degenham in 2010 as a member of the UK Conservative Party.
“The fact of her dual citizenship and political activities in the UK raises major questions on her loyalty and commitment to Nigeria, “the CSOs insisted.
