Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media , Lauretta Onochie vehemently denied being a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) , or any of the other registered political parties.
Onochie’s denial of the wide spread allegation , came to the fore Thursday when she appeared before the Senate Commitee on Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) for screening as one of the newly nominated Federal Commissioners by President Buhari.
Onochie in her opening remarks before the Commitee , acknowledged series of petitions against her which bothers on her membership of the APC and the fact that someone from her state was already on the board of the INEC.
She admitted being part of the Buhari’s campaign organisation in 2015 before her appointment as Special Assistant on Social Media.
She also, admitted swearing to an affidavit at an Abuja federal high court that she was a member of the APC.
She nevertheless said she stopped being a member of the party immediately after the 2019 elections.
She said, “I have learned over the years to stand with the constitution and due process but not on partisanship or sentiments.
“Since 2019, I have not had anything to do with any political organisation, including Buhari support groups.
“When APC was doing re-validation of party members, I did not take part in that exercise.
“As I’m sitting down here, I’m not a member of any political party in this country.
“I’ve no partisanship in my blood. I have seen many petitions against my nomination not only from the PDP, but also from some APC members.
“I’m not partisan. They know. It is about the law. No one has any reason to fear for my nomination as INEC commissioner representing Delta State .
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m madam due process. That’s why all the attacks. I follow due process, I follow the law.”
However, an affidavit dated 30th June, 2021, she swore to at an FCT High court, attached to one of the petitions against her, contradicted her claims.
She deposed to the affidavit at the High Court of the FCT in a case involving her as Plaintiff and Emeka Ugwuonye (Defendant).
Onochie in her witness statement on oath, paragraph three read, “That | am also engaged in active politics and a member of Neighbourhood Watch and has elso contested the Local Government Elections under the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom.
“| am also a member of the All Progressives Congress and a volunteer at the Buhari Support Organisation.”
Onochie further told the panel that Mrs May Agbamuche, a serving INEC National Commissioner from Delta State, is actually representing Cross River on the board of the electoral umpire.
Senators Ifeanyi Ubah, Seriake Dickson, Istifanus Gyang and Ike Ekeweremadu, in their separate questions asked Onochie again to confirm her membership of the APC.
Onochie, three times denied her membership of the ruling APC and told lawmakers that she stopped being a card carrying member of APC in 2019, two years ago as soon as Buhari was re-elected for the second term.
Meanwhile, a suggestion by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central) that Onochie be placed on oath after she denied her APC membership, was supported by Senator Lawal Gumau (Bauchi South).
The suggestion was however frustrated by two PDP senators, Ike Ekewremadu and Seriake Dickson.
They both argued that the Senate Rules did not allow them to put any nominee on oath during screening.
The Chairman of the panel, Kabiru Gaya ( APC Kano South) ruled in favour of Ekweremadu and Dickson saying that Onochie would not be placed on oath so as not to run foul of the Senate Rules.
Gaya subsequently adjourned the proceedings and said the report of his panel would be submitted to the Senate at plenary next week for consideration and possible approval.
