INEC Commissioner's Nominee, an APC Card-Carrying Member, HURIWA Petitions NASS
- President Muhammadu Buhari has replaced the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as a commissioner for INEC
- The Nigerian leadar nominated Rhoda Gumus, a professor at Niger-Delta University who is from Bayelsa state
- However, HURIWA has petitioned the National Assembly over Gumus' nomination saying a card carrying member of the APC
President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused of nominating an alleged card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as INEC National Commissioner for Bayelsa state.
The allegation was made by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) in a petition dated 26 of January 2022 and addressed to the Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
Source: UGC
HURIWA in a statement made available to Legit.ng, alleged that the new INEC nominee, Prof. Rhoda Gumus is a card carrying member of the APC.
In a petition signed by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, Gumus' nomination was in breach of the 1999 constitution as amended and the Electoral Act.
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
The rights group, however enjoined the leadership of the National Assembly to outrightly reject the nomination in the interest of the country.
Source: UGC
The rights group warned the National Assembly to guard against the confirmation of Gumus so as not to set the stage for a very huge political crisis, which is capable of derailing the country's democratic process.
HURIWA said:
"We have uncovered material evidence (copies attached) revealing that Prof. Rhoda H. Gumus; INEC National Commissioner nominee for Bayelsa State, South South is a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and by confirming her as a National Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), tasked with the mandate to conduct elections in Nigeria wherein the All Progressives Congress will participate."
Lauretta Onochie: Senate reveals why Buhari’s aide was rejected as INEC commissioner
According to an earlier report by Legit.ng, the Nigerian Senate said that the nomination of Lauretta, an aide to President Buhari, was rejected because of her partisanship and breach of federal character principle.
This was contained in a statement released by the special assistant (press) to Senate president, Ezrel Tabiowo, on Tuesday, July 13.
The statement quoted the chairman of the committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South), as saying that the committee also received several petitions against the nomination of Lauretta.
Source: Legit.ng
