Immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has called on the National Assembly not to confirm Lauretta Onochie as a commissioner of the electoral body.
Jega who spoke during Politics Today programme on Channel Television on Sunday night said the controversy surrounding her nomination was not good for the integrity of elections she may oversee, if she is confirmed.
Jega further advised President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw her nomination.
He said: “This kind of controversy is really avoidable. Any person who generated such a controversy, the appointing authorities should be careful because you don’t want to appoint anybody that can raise suspicions or doubts or can lead to a loss of trust of the electoral management body.
“I’m sorry to say that from some of the documents that I have been privileged to see, both about her British citizens and the very active participation in a political party up until 2019, you will try to avoid appointing such people into an electoral commission — because it can generate controversy.
“To be honest, the president can also withdraw that nomination. After all, there are so many women with credibility, with capacity, competence in both Delta and across Rivers, so why bring someone that will generate controversy and raise suspicions about the intention of the appointment.”
Many Nigerians have opposed the nomination on the grounds that Onochie is partisan and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
But when she appeared before the senate screening committee on Thursday, Onochie said contrary to public claims, she does not belong to any political party.
