Politics

Onochie: You Have Lost Touch With Democracy – Bamgbose Fires Buhari

Published

18 October 2020

7:31 PM

President Muhammadu Buhari has lost touch with the ideals of democracy and good governance, Olusegun Bamgbose, a 2023 presidential hopeful has said.

Naija News recalls that President Buhari had nominated Lauretta Onochie, his Special Assistant on Social Media, as a National Commissioner of INEC, representing Delta State.

In a letter of request to the National Assembly which was read during plenary by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, President Buhari also nominated Prof. Mohammed Sani representing Katsina; Prof. Kunle Ajayi (Ekiti) and Seidu Ahmed (Jigawa) to fill the quota of INEC Commissioners in their state.

Reacting in a chat with Daily Post on Saturday, Bamgbose gave Buhari two weeks to withdraw Onochie’s nomination.

The senior lawyer said it was unfortunate that Nigeria leaders who took an oath to defend the Constitution are now desecrating it.

He said: “The person must be non-partisan, meaning he or she should not be a card-carrying member of any political party in Nigeria.

“Onochie is a card-carrying member of APC. It’s pathetic and very disheartening, that some APC members alleged that PDP members also are working with INEC, does two wrongs make a right? Does that now legalize their illegality?

“This is no doubt a porous and watery defence. Her nomination is a misnomer. It’s an abuse of the Supreme law of the land.

“President Buhari should stop insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians. We are giving him two weeks to withdraw her nomination, or we shall have no option than to head for the court, to declare illegal the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as INEC electoral commissioner.

“This nomination can’t stand. We will equally urge the Upper Chambers to outrightly reject her nomination, if not, the Court will be next option. This outright illegality won’t be allowed to go unchallenged.

“Onochie is well known to be a strong APC member. She is constitutionally not qualified to be nominated in the first instance. We urge Buhari to respect the views of majority of Nigerians and withdraw her nomination.”