Connect with us

Politics

CAN Faults Lauretta Onochie’s Nomination As INEC Commissioner

Published

5 years ago

on

The Christian Association of Nigeria has faulted the nomination of a presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, as a national commissioner of the South-South in the Independent National Electoral Commission, describing it as “an executive recklessness, a dirty slap on the populace, and a gross violation of the 1999 constitution (as Amended).”

A statement by the President of CAN, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, therefore called on the Senate to reject her nomination.

Ayokunle said, “As far as CAN is concerned, Onochie suffers objectivity, justice and fairness that are mandatory for every member of INEC as a result of her partisan membership of a political party and by being an appointee of the ruling party.

“We are equally opposed to her nomination because of her unguarded remarks, public insults on credible individuals and the use of vulgar language and unprintable words against people who express their displeasure to some actions and policies of the government of the day, especially, her principal.

Meanwhile, opposition to the nomination of a presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, as the South-South National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission thickened on Thursday with about 20 civil society organisations heading for court stop her confirmation.

The CSOs have also petitioned the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; and the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami.

This was as the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, called on the President, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to immediately withdraw  Onochie’s nomination.

The CSOs disclose their moves at a press conference in Abuja addressed by the Executive Director, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre and Convener, Say No Campaign, Ezenwa Nwagwu; and Executive Director, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Faith Nwadishi.

Other members of the coalition include Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi (Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre); Samson Itodo (Yiaga Africa); Ibrahim Zikirullahi (Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education); Okechukwu Nwagwuma (Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre); Idayat Hassan (Centre for Democracy Development); and Vivian Bello (Social Action).

Nwagwu said the 1999 Constitution expressly provided that the National Electoral Commissioners of INEC shall be non-partisan and persons of unquestionable integrity, who shall be nominated by the President.

On his part, Tambuwal, while speaking at the swearing-in of the chairman and members of the Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission in Sokoto, noted that Onochie’s nomination by Buhari was morally wrong.

He said, “I am appealing to PMB to rise above sentiments and do the needful; go by the Constitution as President of Nigeria and not the President of the All Progressives Congress to withdraw the nomination of Onochie in the interest of this country.”

Punch

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Politics

Rivers Crisis: Full List Of 8 Misconduct Allegations Against Governor Fubara

Published

2 days ago

on

January 9, 2026

By

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Ngozi Odu, issuing them a seven-day notice to respond to allegations of gross misconduct.

 

The Assembly cited eight specific allegations of gross misconduct as the basis for the move.

This is the third time Fubara and Odu would be facing impeachment proceedings from the Assembly since coming to office in 2023.

Attempts to impeach them in 2023 and 2025, amid political feuds between the Governor and his predecessor and erstwhile political god-father, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had been halted by presidential intervention.

Here are the allegations below:

1. Reckless and unconstitutional expenditure of public funds

2. Unconstitutional misappropriation of public funds

3. Hindering the Rivers Assembly from performing its constitutional duties

4. Illegal appointments of persons without screening by the House of Assembly as provided by the Constitution

5. Seizure of salaries and funds meant for Assembly members

6. Seizure of salaries of the clerk of the Rivers House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi

7. Refusal to implement provisions of the Constitution on financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary

8. Withholding of funds meant for the running of the Rivers House of Assembly Service Commission and hindering its activities

Continue Reading

Politics

2027: SDP Will Defeat APC and Tinubu, Declares Lilian Adebayo

Published

2 months ago

on

October 30, 2025

By

Lilian Adebayo, the wife of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, has said that the party will unseat the ruling All Progressive Party at the 2027 election if Nigerians are true to themselves.

 

Mrs Adebayo made this assertion known on Wednesday during an interview with journalists after an event in Abuja.

 

According to her, the opposition party has overcome its crisis after the expulsion of its former chairman, Shehu Gabam and others.

 

She said Nigerians should vote the APC out in the 2027 general election due to the hardship the party has plunged citizens into.

 

“There is always a crisis in the party; the SPD has been able to handle its own. The problems in the party have been resolved.

 

“He has a great chance of winning the election if Nigerians are honest with themselves. If Nigerians think that the ones they consistently vote for would move the country forward, they live in denial,” she concerning the husband.

 

Recall that SDP recently expelled Gabam and other party executives.

 

The party’s state chairmen on Wednesday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the police to investigate Gabam over alleged misappropriation.

SOURCE

Continue Reading

Politics

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah Dumps PDP For APC

Published

3 months ago

on

October 14, 2025

By

In a significant political move, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

 

Mbah announced his decision during a televised broadcast in Enugu after weeks of speculation.

 

He said, “Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party and join the All Progressives Congress.”

 

Mbah explained that his decision to join the PDP was informed by the need to reshape Enugu and reorganise the politics of the state.

 

“Today, I stand before you to announce a break from the past and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically and how we secure the future of our project and our people.

 

“Leadership sometimes demands painful decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there comes a time, when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.”

 

Ahead of the governor’s defection, all members of his cabinet had on joined the ruling party.

 

Governor Mbah’s Senior Media Aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the mass defection in a video posted on his social media handles on Monday. In the video, several government officials were seen openly declaring their allegiance to the APC, chanting praises for President Bola Tinubu and affirming their commitment to the new party.

 

“Enugu State Cabinet Members join the APC with full chest along with Governor PN Mbah,” Nwomeh stated.

 

The officials, including commissioners and top aides, could be heard in the video declaring, “We are now in APC; tomorrow is here; it is APC all the way; it is Jagaban all the way; from top to bottom.”

 

The collective defection marks a significant political shift in Enugu State, which has been a PDP stronghold since 1999.

Continue Reading

Trending