Nigeria’s Legal luminary and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has given reasons why Lauretta Onochie, is not fit to be an INEC Commissioner.
The aide to the President on social media was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari alongside 3 others for confirmation by the Senate.
Senate confirmation is in line with the laws that set up the position of INEC umpire.
One of the many reasons her nomination is questioned is that she is a card carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is in addition to being active in attacking the main opposition party, the PDP.
Falana gave his reasons in a statement released on Tuesday. He stated that an INEC Commissioner must be non-partisan.
In his words, “in view of the desire of President Muhammadu Buhari to fill some vacancies in the Independent National Electoral Commission, it has become pertinent to draw the attention of the Council of State and Senate to the following provisions of the constitution.
Falana said that is mandatory for the President to consult with the Council of State before appointing an INEC Commissioner, pursuant to section 154 (3) of the constitution:
“Paragraph B of Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule to the constitution provides that ‘the Council of State shall have the power to advise the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to (iv) the Independent National Electoral Commission including the appointment of the members of the commission.
“Pursuant to section 154 (1) of the constitution, the appointment of members of the Independent National Electoral Commission shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The Senior Advocate added that “Paragraph 14 of Part 1 of the third schedule to the constitution as amended by section 30, Act No 1 of 2010, a member of the Independent National Electoral Commission ‘shall be non-partisan.”
House of Reps Election Tribunal, Imo State
Aide To @Mbuhari,