An Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, has blasted former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Governor Nyesom Wike and the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, over their condemnation of the appointment of Mrs. Laurreta Onochie as National Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Newsmen reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday, sought Senate’s confirmation of Commissioners of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, reads a letter containing the names at plenary session. Those to be confirmed are Prof. Muhaamad Sani from Katsina State, Lauretta Onochie from Delta State, Kunle Cornelius Ajayi from Ekiti State and Seidu Ahmad from Jigawa State.
Lauretta Onochie is Buhari’s Special Assistant on social media.
But, reacting to the criticisms trailing Onochie’s appointment during a telephone interview with newsmen on Wednesday, OYC President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, urged the members of the opposition PDP to first respect the constitution of People’s Democratic Party by zoning its 2023 presidential ticket to the South East zone, rather than blackmailing Onochie whose appointment, according to him, was based on merit.
Isiguzoro stated Ohanaeze’s support to Onochie’s appointment by President Buhari and further called on Senator Ahmed Lawan-led Nigeria Senate to confirm the nominee who he described as technocrat.
His words, “we wish to congratulate Mrs. Laurreta Onochie, on her appointment as INEC Commissioner. There is no gainsaying the fact that her well- deserved appointment was as a result of hardwork and commitment to the nation’s course.
“It is unfortunate that in the names forwarded to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari, it was only Onochie’s appointment generated reactions and condemnations from different quarters. Not that they don’t have their opinions, her appointment could be described as capital punishment for prospective election riggers especially in the opposition PDP.
“Those who are afraid and opposing her appointment know fully well that Laurretta Onochie, who is a true Igbo daughter from Delta State, has that bravery, capacity and competence to halt election rigging. Ohanaeze youths wish to call on the Senate to confirm the President’s four nominees, including Onochie without delay.
“Contrary to the insinuations that Laurreta Onochie is a card carrying member of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, OYC after thorough investigation, posits that the former presidential Assistant on Social Media, Onochie belong to the rank of technocrats. They should allow her join other Commissioners to sanitize the nation’s electoral Commission in order to make the umpire a true independent body”.
