Senate Rejects Onochie's Appointment as INEC National Commissioner ABUJA

  

The Nigerian Senate has rejected the appointment of Mrs Lauretta Onochie, a close aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, as a National Commissioner representing Delta State in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The rejection was based on the principle of Federal Character, as the Senate Committee on INEC nominees screening, chaired by Kabiru Gaya (APC-Kano), found it against the rules to have two persons from the same state serving as INEC National Commissioners. The Committee Chairman explained that Mrs May Agbamuche Mbu, who is also from Delta State, is currently serving as an INEC National Commissioner, and it would violate the Federal Character principle to appoint another person from the same state. The Senate also dropped the confirmation of Prof. Sani Adam from North-Central for further legislative action. However, five other nominees were confirmed by the Upper House. They include Prof. Abdullahi Zuru (North-West). Prof. Muhammad Sani Kallah, (Katsina), and Dr Baba Bila (North-East). The full report of the Committee on the screening of the INEC nominees will be presented at plenary on Tuesday to determine their confirmation.