INEC: Peace Institute Boss Tells Buhari Not To Re-Nominate Lauretta Onochie

Igoniko Oduma Yenagoa 

The Director, Institute of Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) at the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Dr Philips Okolo has lauded the Senate for rejecting the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Okolo, who is an Associate Professor of Political Science in the NDU and public affairs commentator, m President Muhammadu Buhari not to forward Onchie's name again to the senate.

According to him, there are qualified sons and daughters of the South-South region that Buhari can nominate for the position.

Okolo stated these in a chat with our correspondent while reacting to the rejection of Onochie's nomination by the senate on Tuesday.

He, however, noted that many did not see her rejection coming given the present senate's antecedents of acceding to all kinds of requests from Buhari, irrespective of public outcry against such.

The university don said Onochie's nomination had been roundly opposed across the country, especially by civil society groups and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He added that it was curious that the senate based its rejection of Onochie on the principle of Federal Character instead of her known membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which was against the law.

The IPSS boss said, "Many Nigerians did not see it (Onochie's rejection) coming because of the antecedents of the National Assembly. But the senate has risen to the occasion on this one.

"You will recall that many people, especially civil society organizations have clamoured for the withdrawal of her nomination by President Buhari but that did not happen until now. However, the senate has rejected her nomination based on Federal Character principle rather than her known affiliation to, and membership of the ruling APC.

"Now that her nomination has been clearly rejected by the senate, the president should not re-submit her name again. No doubt, there are eminently qualified people from the South-South that can be nominated as National Commissioner of INEC. And this can come from Bayelsa, Rivers and any other state of the region."