Buhari compromising INEC’s integrity by appointing APC members RECs – HURIWA
Africa
CIVIL rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) on Monday, slammed the President Muhammadu Buhari for compromising the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission through the appointment of card-carrying members of the All Progressives Congress as Resident Electoral Commissioners.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, described the recent nominations of known political affiliatiates with a record of alleged corruption as unconstitutional, insisting that such nominees should not be confirmed by the Senate.
The President had on July 26, forwarded the names of 19 INEC resident electoral commissioners, REC, nominees to the red chamber for confirmation. Five of the nominees were reappointed for a second term of five years while 14 others had new appointments.
The five nominees reappointed are Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa); Obo Effanga (Cross River); Umar Ibrahim (Taraba); Agboke Olaleke (Ogun); and Samuel Egwu (Kogi).
Others are Onyeka Ugochi (Imo); Muhammad Bashir (Sokoto); Ayobami Salami (Oyo); Zango Abdu (Katsina); Queen Elizabeth Agwu (Ebonyi); and Agundu Tersoo (Benue); Yomere Oritsemlebi (Delta); Yahaya Ibrahim (Kaduna); Nura Ali (Kano); Agu Uchenna (Enugu); Ahmed Garki (FCT); and Hudu Yunusa (Bauchi); Uzochukwu Chijioke (Anambra); and Mohammed Nura (Yobe).
However, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations including the director, International Press Centre, said the nominee from Sokoto was an APC governorship aspirant in 2015 whilst the nominee for Enugu is alleged to be the younger sister of the APC deputy national chairman, South-East.
Likewise, the CSOs said the nominee for Imo, a former Head of ICT at INEC in Imo, is infamous for alleged corruption and connivance with politicians to undermine elections whilst the nominee for Ebonyi, a former Accountant-General in Ebonyi State, was suspended on allegations of incompetence and corruption in 2016.
Commenting, HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “We align with the positions of our brother CSOs that these persons are unworthy to hold a sensitive position such as Resident Electoral Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission unless the Federal Government is trying to reward politically prejudiced and allegedly corrupt individuals with sensitive and prestigious appointments.
“The APC government should be reminded of Section 14(2a) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended which states that “a member of the commission shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity.”
“Also, Section 14(3b) of the same Schedule states that “there shall be for each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, a Resident Electoral Commissioner who shall be a person of unquestionable integrity and shall not be a member of any political party.”
“Similarly, Section 156(1(a) of the same Schedule prohibits the appointment of the of such individuals with questionable character.
“This is not the first time the President will politicise the appointment of INEC officials. In 2020, the President nominated his aide on social media, Lauretta Onochie, as an INEC commissioner to represent Delta State. He later replaced her after an outrage condemning his decision.
“Also, in October 2019, a self-confessed APC member in Osun State, Olalekan Raheem, was nominated as a resident electoral commissioner by the President though the Senate later rejected the nominee.
“The President must not compromise INEC’s integrity as Nigeria goes into an election year in 2023. INEC as an electoral umpire must be an apolitical institution with objective individuals with no record of political allegiance. Nigerians are watching to see how the APC government intends to smuggle its members into INEC top organs to allegedly circumvent the process in favour of the ruling party which intends to perpetuate itself into power after failing Nigerians in all ramifications.”
August 28, 2022
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA.
C.E
Related Posts
CHAN: Nigeria, Ghana clash ends in goalless draw
THE Nigeria, Ghana final qualifying fixture in the race to next year’s African Nations Championship ends a goalless draw in...
Read More72-hour shopping festival begins in Lagos Monday
THE Lagos State Government has concluded plans for a 72-hour non-stop shopping extravaganza which will begin on Monday (Dec. 23)....
Read MoreTax reform bills and National Assembly’s quest for improved tax system
By Kingsley Okoye, SINCE the recent introduction of four tax reform bills by the executive arm, the National Assembly has...
Read MoreMost Read
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Keep abreast of news and other developments from our website.