News Editor
Alliance Nigeria a Civil Society Organization (CSO) has stated that although Mrs Onochie’s nomination was rejected by the Senate based on federal character, that the Senate committee lost an opportunity to build a lasting precedent that precludes the President from appointing and seeking confirmation of partisan Nigerians with questionable character as National Commissioner’s/Resident Electoral Commissioners in INEC.
The civil right group while commending the senate for adhering to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by ceding to the demands of the people and upholding the provisions of the Constitution by rejecting the nomination of Mrs Lauretta Onochie as a National Commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), called on them to protect and uphold the constitution, without fear or favour, noting that the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission and credibility of our electoral process must always supersede political or personal interest.
“In the same manner, we once again restate our demand for an Electoral Act that reflect the popular wish of the Nigerian people. We reject any plan by the National Assembly to force an illegitimate document on the people.
“We demand an Electoral Act that allows the electronic transmission of results, that empowers INEC to review results declared under duress, that provides INEC with adequate funding in yearly instalments starting two years to an election, that reduce rather than increase the present limits on campaign expenses and many other vital amendments” the group stated.
With regards to the Electoral Amendment Bill will be laid before the National Assembly this week, the group equally sounded a warning call to the national assembly to avoid any electoral amendment that does not include the basic demands of Nigerians.
