CAN Condemns Nomination of Onochie as INEC National Commissioner

Ripples of the appointment of Laureate Onochie as a national commissioner-designate of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have continued as the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday condemned in strong terms the nomination of the presidential aide for such job, describing it an executive recklessness, a dirty slap on the populace, and a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended).

In a statement issued by the CAN President, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo, he said: “When President Muhammadu Buhari said he wanted to leave a legacy of free, fair and credible election behind, all right-thinking Nigerians were happy, and CAN has been praying for God to grant him the grace to do so.

“But the nomination of his personal aide to such a sensitive position may have revealed the type of electoral legacy the president is working on.”

The leader of the Christian highest body called upon on the Senate to reject the nomination of Onochie as a member of the INEC for the following reasons.

The statement said according to Section 156 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) Act No 1, 2010, a member of the INEC “shall not be a member of a political party.”

It added: “Whereas Onochie is reportedly said to be a cardcarrying member of the ruling party. That disqualifies her from being nominated and appointed to serve in INEC.

“Although the president has the power to appoint members of INEC whenever there are vacancies, he is expected to abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in doing so.