INEC: Replace Onochie with non-partisan female, Samson Itodo tells Buhari

Samson Itodo, executive director of YIAGA Africa, a non-governmental organisation, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to replace the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as a commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with a female who is non-partisan.

Onochie’s nomination had sparked sharp criticism over concerns that she is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The senate had, on Tuesday, rejected Onochie’s nomination based on federal character principle.

According to the lawmakers, there is already a serving commissioner from Delta state where the presidential aide hails from.

Speaking when he featured on a programme on Channels Television on Tuesday, Itodo commended the senate on the decision to reject the nomination.

“We are glad that the senate has rejected her nomination in the interest of our electoral process. It is now up to the president to re-nominate an individual, but in this case, since a female nominee was rejected, we urge the president to replace Lauretta Onochie with another female nominee who is not partisan, who does not have questionable character, and who has requisite capacity,” he said.

“There are lots of women in this country who can provide leadership as national commissioners of Independent National Electoral Commission.

“This is a victory for democracy. I celebrate the Nigerians, the Nigerian youths, the Nigerian women, and all the stakeholders that rose and spoke out against the aberration of our constitution.

“We are glad that the senate committee and the senate have defended the constitution, even though I would say they gave some political reasons.

“It is very clear that beyond the federal character principle that they relied on, the other issues that were contained in that petition are substantive enough to provide justification for their decision.”