isqualifies a person as in the instant case from being appointed as INEC’s National Commissioner on the grounds that a person is a member of a political party.“Ms Onochie is a British Citizen and has over the years been involved in active politics in the UK. Up till recently, she has been a full, card carrying member of the British Conservative Party.“To be specific, Ms Onochie in , contested elections for a councillorship position in Thames Ward in the London Borough of Barking and Degenham as a member of the UK Conservative Party.
A total of candidates contested for the election, Ms Onochie lost by emerging tenth on the ballot after Buy Bulk SMS Service securing a total vote of in her favour.”The mere fact that she holds dual citizenship makes her unfit to hold such a sensitive office. As a Nigerian and UK citizen, she is obligated to demonstrate loyalty to both countries. Therefore, her dual loyalty will undermine national interest and it could potentially threaten the independence of INEC, they said.The CSOs further said Ms Onochie was a volunteer on the media campaign team for former Prime Minister David Cameron and while she was campaigning for the APC in Nigeria in , she was also involved in the Conservative Party #Roadtrip to campaign for the re-election of conservative candidates across the UK.
PrayersWhile they urged the Senate to completely reject Ms Onochie’s nomination, the CSOs called on Mr Buhari to withdraw her nomination in the public interest and in furtherance of his commitment to leave a legacy of a truly independent electoral institution that enjoys the trust and confidence of citizens and electoral stakeholders.They asked the president to uphold the federal character principle in renominating a non-partisan, neutral, and competent Nigerian to represent the South-south region as INEC National Commissioner and also uphold the principle of diversity by ensuring gender inclusion in the nomination of non-partisan and competent Nigerians as INEC Commissioners.
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