Senate confirms SAN as INEC commissioner despite petition against him

The senate has confirmed Sani Mohammed Adam, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as a commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Adam who is representing north-central was confirmed after Kabiru Gaya, chairman of the committee on INEC, presented a report in a plenary session on Thursday.

The confirmation of the SAN was suspended over a petition against him.

The petition came to the fore on Tuesday — same day Lauretta Onochie, presidential aide, was rejected by the senate as an INEC commissioner.

Onochie was disqualified on the grounds of “federal character principle” — asides an allegation that she is partisan and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While presenting his report, Gaya told his colleagues that they are in receipt of a court verdict which was said to be against the nomination of Adam.

The chairman said after their investigation, the verdict did not affect the integrity of Adam to hold office as an INEC commissioner.

“The committee found the petition faulty,” the senator said.

“The court judgement does not have anything to do with his integrity so we recommend that he be confirmed as an INEC commissioner.”

Thereafter, Adam was confirmed as an INEC commissioner after his nomination was put to a voice vote by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.