SENATE REJECTS ONOCHIE AS INEC COMMISSIONER.

The Senate has rejected the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya in his report said Onochie did not satisfy the provisions of the Federal Character principle.

 The Senate at the Committee of the Whole subsequently voted against her nomination.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya in his presentation said the committee received several petitions against the nominations of Ms. Lauretta Onochie and Professor Sani Muhammad Adam.

He disclosed that the petitions against Lauretta Onochie were against the backdrop that her involvement in politics and alleged membership of a political party.

 He explained further that her nomination violated the Federal Character principle as there was already a serving National Electoral Commissioner from Delta State, Mrs. Mary Agbamuche-Mbu who was screened and confirmed by the 7^th Senate.

According to the lawmaker, the committee is bound by the provisions of section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amendment on Federal Character principle, refused to recommend Onochie for confirmation.