The Nomination of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on New Media Lauretta Onochie as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has continued to generate reactions. President Mohammadu Buhari had on 13 October 2020 sent the names of four nominees including the presidential aide to the senate for confirmation as commissioners of INEC. While other nominees were confirmed,that of Ms Onochie attracted series of constitutional issues from various electoral stakeholders. However, 8 months after the Senate again referred her name alongside other fresh nominees to it’s committee on INEC for screening as Commissioners of INEC. Reacting to the development, a coalition of civil society Organizations at a news conference in Abuja condemned the move citing various constitutional gaps. The CSO’s including Yiaga Africa,Cleen Foundation and Centre for Democracy and Development further called on the senate Committee on INEC to reject the nomination. They also advocated need for president Buhari to adhere to the principle of diversity and gender inclusivity in nominating non partisan candidates as INEC Commissioners. They further suggested that the red chamber continue to nurture the nation’s democracy by protecting the sanctity of INEC.
