Ebere Ezennaya
Following the expiration of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, fireworks has began ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari had written a letter to the senate requesting for a reconfirmation of Prof Yakubu as INEC chairman for another period of five.
The Presidency and ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, had cited need for consolidation as a major reason why Prof Yakubu Mahmood must come back for a second tenure.
As Mr President’s letter remains on the table of the upper chamber for consideration as soon as members reconvene, President Buhari had also nominated Professor Muhammad Sani Kallah, Professor Kunle Ajayi, Saidu Babura and Lauretta Onochie as national commissioners of the electoral umpire.
However, the nomination of Lauretta Onochie for position of national commissioner of INEC has generated controversy across the nation’s polity.
Lauretta Onochie an indigene of Delta State and special assistant to the President on Social Media has been fingered as a card carrying member of APC in the present administration, hence is not lawful to occupy the office of national commissioner.
According to paragraph 14 of the 3rd schedule of the 1999 constitution, it forbids a person involved in partisan politics to hold office as a member of INEC.
This recent development has spiked doubt in the mind of political observers who are beginning to question the President’s sincerity and commitment towards delivering a free, fair and credible election come 2023.
Meanwhile, as various individuals, organization and political parties continue to call for the withdrawal of Lauretta Onochie as a nominee for INEC national commissioner, the onus lies on the shoulder of the the senate as Nigerians await their reaction.
On Tuesday, the red chamber would be reconvening after a four weeks break for sub committee budget defense, would the lawmakers hold President Muhammadu Buhari accountable in line with constitutional provision?
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