PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER MEDIAN FEC MEETING 12. R-L; Minister of Special Duties and Inthergovernmental Affairs, Sen George Akume, PA to the President on Social Media, Mrs Lauretta Onochie and Minister of State Science and Technology, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting held at the Council Chambers, State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. SEPT 11 2019
BreakingTop StoryTrending Story

Falana swipes Pres. Buhari for nominating his aide, Onochie, as INEC National Commissioner

245

 

 

 

 

Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), has picked holes in the appointment of the Presidential Assistant on Social Media, Mrs Lauretta Onochie, as a National Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying she is partisan and constitutionally unqualified.

Also describing it as unconstitutional, Falana pointed out that under the 1999 Constitution, in appointing members of INEC the President was under obligation to consult with the Council of State.

 

Perecondnews recalls that Buhari had forwarded Onochie’s name and three others to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

 

Falana

 

“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 the Senate to the following provisions of the Constitution: “In appointing the members of the INEC the President is required to consult with the Council of State 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 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 the members of the Independent National Electoral Commission shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate. 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 INEC “shall be non-partisan,’’ said Falana in a statement signed by him.

 

Falana insisted that a card-carrying member of a registered political party or a well-known supporter of a particular political party is constitutionally disqualified from the membership of the INEC.

 

“As an unrepentant member of the ruling party Mrs. Loretta Onochie has consistently attacked members of other political parties. To that extent, she is partisan and therefore not qualified to be a member of INEC.”

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just in: FG withdraws treason charges against #Endbadgovernance protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has terminated the treason charges brought...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu orders release of #EndBadGovernance underage protesters

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested...

Just in: Seven new ministers take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly appointed ministers, directing them...

Just in: Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN, Onnoghen, orders FG to unfreeze his account

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged and acquitted...

ECOWAS, Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania Commit to $26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project

“The project, conceived in 2016 during King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s visit...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

Updated: Abuja Court grants N1.1 bln bail to 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a N10 million bail...

Just in: 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in Abuja

The detained 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters just arrived at the Federal High Court...

Breaking: 10 fatalities confirmed as building collapses in Ibadan

A weehours building collapse in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday...

Breaking: After five hours of screening, Senate confirms Bianca Ojukwu, six others as ministers

The Senate on Wednesday screened and confirmed the nominations of Ambassador Bianca...

Senate begins screening of seven ministerial nominees

The Senate has started screening the seven ministerial nominees of President Bola...

Alleged homosexuality: RCCG suspends two pastors, launches investigation

For allegedly breaching the church’s doctrine and the Holy Bible, two pastors...

Helicopter crash: NNPC Ltd. spokesman Soneye cancels golden jubilee birthday celebration in honour of departed souls

Mr. Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of the Nigerian National...

Biden in 30-minute phone call with Tinubu, hails Binance executive release

President Bola Tinubu and US President Joe Biden held a 30-minute phone...

Tinubu Receives Briefing on Local Currency Oil Sales Amid Pricing Disputes

President Bola Tinubu has received a briefing from the Implementation Committee on...

Kcee and Flavour engage in heated exchange over Igbo music style

The Nigerian music industry is once again witnessing a brewing fiery clash...

In Lagos, 150 Ajegunle widows, vulnerable lifted with food items, cash gifts

As part of efforts to provide succor and the much-needed support to...

Economic hardship: I’m not T-pain, you are mischievous, Tinubu replies Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has come under fire from the Presidency...

Just in: Air Peace denies plan to hike Lagos-Abuja airfare

Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, has dismissed rumours about raising...

Updated: Copter Crash: Search Still Ongoing, No Other Additional Bodies Found – NNPC Ltd’s Spokesman Soneyea

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd) has said beyond the...