Former Kaduna lawmaker, Shehu Sani and Ben Murray-Bruce of Bayelsa State has kicked against the appointment of an aide of President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, as a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Buhari had in the last quarter of 2020 appointed Onochie as an INEC Commissioner.
Onochie’s appointment was greeted with heavy criticisms as many said a partisan individual like her should not be an electoral umpire.
On Wednesday, Onochie was screened for the new job at the Senate as requested by President Buhari.
Shehu Sani, reacting, said “INEC positions should be for non partisan Nigerians who should commit & dedicate themselves to conducting a fair & credible elections.
“However, appointing a partisan media aide who has openly antagonized & libelously defamed other parties pollute the impartiality of the electoral umpire,” Shehu Sani stated.
Senator Murray-Bruce claimed her appointment would undermine the electoral commission.
While saying INEC should be devoid of bias, Murray-Bruce described Onochie as being very politically partisan, appealing to Buhari to review the appointment.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission must be devoid of any political bias. Appointing persons like Lauretta Onochie, who is very politically partisan, will undermine INEC. I appeal to the President to reconsider this nomination and leave a legacy of a credible INEC,” Murray-Bruce said in a post on his social media handle.
