Politics
Onochie: A Litmus Test For The Senate
In recent times, not many issues in the public domain have raised more opprobrium, vehemence, and even angst and disgust, amongst diverse and varied competent, well-meaning and very critical stakeholder groups, individuals and organisations in the electoral process than President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of Ms Lauretta Onochie as federal commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Senate for confirmation.
On Wednesday, June 9, the senate president, Ahmad Lawan, at plenary, referred President Buhari’s request to confirm Prof. Muhammad Sani Kallah (Katsina Laureetta Onochie (Delta); Prof. Kunle Cornelius Ajayi (Ekiti); Saidu Babura Ahmad (Jigawa); Prof. Sani Muhammad Adam (North-Central) and Dr Baba Bila (North-East) as national commissioners of INEC to its committee on INEC for screening. The committee was given two weeks to conclude its assignment and report back to plenary on the request that was first sent to the senate in October, last year.
While it is not clear whether the committee delayed work on the assignment, it is manifestly evident that the committee has taken more time than was allotted and lay its report before the upper legislative chamber in plenary for final debate and confirmation.
However, there has been a floodgate of reactions from a wide range of the Nigerian public over the appearance of the name of Ms Onochie on the list of those to be considered at all. The opposition and rejection of Ms Onochie began from the floor of the senate itself when the Minority Leader, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, whose statutory function it was to second the motion moved by the Majority Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, declared his reluctance in seconding the motion on account of the presence of the name of Ms Onochie.
Those who see the appointment of the Delta State born Ms Onochie as inappropriate and therefore unfit for the office cite the fact that the person in question is already a political office holder as the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media. To this, they add that she is also strongly believed to be a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), in its reaction to the issue, registered its objection to the nomination and implored the senate to reject Ms Onochie as an officer of INEC. Idayat Hassan, Director of CDD, said in a statement that Ms Onochie’s appointment to serve in such a non partisan portfolio could jeopardise Nigeria’s democratic principles if allowed by the senate.
“First, Ms Onochie is from Delta State, the same state from which Barrister May Agbamuche-Mbu, a current national commissioner, hails. Barrister Agbamuche-Mbu’s tenure is not ending until December 2021″, the statement said, adding that “Also, Mr Mike Igini, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, hails from the same state and his tenure will end in August 2022. Neither Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu nor Mike Igini has been removed from office”.
Consequently, the CDD argued that Ms. Onochie’s consideration for confirmation would not only contravene the Federal Character principle of the 1999 constitution, but as well constitute inequity and an unfair treatment of the other South-South states who are also qualified to be appointed into INEC.
According to the CDD, “ Secondly, Ms Onochie does not hide her partisan support for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and she is likely a card-carrying member of the party.
“It is also important to realise that her partisanship is the reason she was appointed to her current role as an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media.
“This, therefore, precludes her from being appointed into INEC. Section 156 (1)_ and item F, Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, forbid an appointee to INEC to be a political party member or a partisan individual.
“There is no doubt that Ms Onochie will continue to protect the interest of the APC if confirmed by the Senate. Moreover, CDD believes strongly that she will represent political baggage that could damage the commission’s legitimacy. Any election she oversees will likely be subjected to multiple litigations, even in a genuine win by the APC and other parties”, the organization said among others.
On Tuesday this week, a coalition of nine civil society organisations took their opposition to Ms Onochie’s appointment a notch further by instituting a legal action against President Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Senate and Kabiru Gaya, chairman of theSsenate committee on INEC.
The CSOs which include the International Press Centre, Centre for Citizens with Disability, Nigerian women Trust fund, Incorporated Trustees of Albino Foundation, Incorporated Trustees of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Incorporated Trustees of Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, Incorporated Trustees of Centre for Media and Society and Incorporated Trustees of YIAGA Africa Initiative are praying the court to declare the nomination of Ms Onochie as “wrongful, illegal, null and void and same nullified”.
In the suit filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/604/2021, the CSOs are asking the court to determine whether the president “can nominate a card-carrying member or members of his political party or any other political party in Nigeria, as a national electoral commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission” contrary to Sections 14 (29), 14 (3), 14 (36), 14 (4) and Section 154 (1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended ).
Among other reliefs, the applicants are asking the court for an order of perpetual injunction “restraining the 3rd and 4th defendants (the Senate and Kabiru Gaya) from referring, considering, screening, deliberating or confirming the nomination of Ms Lauretta Onochie”.
In the affidavits deposed to by the applicants in support of the originating summons, the CSOs insisted that “Onochie cannot be a fair and unbiased umpire to serve in the Independent National Electoral Commission” owing to her close working relationship with President Buhari and his administration.
However, in a move that appeared to be intended to undercut the progress of the case, and in brazen indifference to the massive and overwhelming outpouring of stiff, strident and unrelenting rejection of the appointment of Ms Onochie, the senate, yesterday, began the screening of the six nominations into INEC national commissionership position including the embattled presidential aide.
If, at the end of the day, Ms Onochie gets the nod of the APC dominated red chamber, there are many Nigerians who will not only feel disappointed but also register the 9th Senate as being there to serve the interest of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC as against the more sacred interest of the Nigerian people and that of the constitution.
Yet, even if the senate rejects the nomination, Nigerians will not stop to question the rationale, the wisdom and what the president intended to achieve by his preference for such a defective, obnoxious offensive, provocative and embarrassing choice. The only way to pacify Nigerians and assure them that the entire Onochie saga was not plotted to take them for granted is for the president to render an unreserved apology to his compatriots.
By: Opaka Dokubo
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
-
News4 days agoNavy Destroys Illegal Refinery In Rivers, Intercepts Stolen Fuel In C’ River
-
News4 days agoYou’re The Backbone Of Our Society, Fubara Salutes Mothers On Mothering Sunday
-
Rivers4 days agoCounty Grammar School Old Boys Elect New Executive
-
Environment4 days agoIllegal Buildings On Embassies’ Land Will Be Demolished – Wike
-
Politics4 days agoHUNDREDS OF LATE BAYELSA DEP GOV’S KINSMEN DUMP PDP FOR APC
-
Politics4 days agoA’Court Voids Rep’s Sack Over Defection To APC
-
Politics4 days agoYou’re Misleading Nigerians, APC Slams ADC Over Poverty Rate Report
-
Sports4 days agoWe ‘ill No Longer Pay Athletes Training Grants In Foreign Currency- NSC