Press Statement
October 13, 2020
INEC: Onochie’s Nomination Is Ominous, Assault on Nigerian Constitution and Democracy- PDP…Says It Belies Buhari’s Promised Credible Election Legacy
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of his Special Assistant on social media, Ms. Lauretta Onochie, a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a national commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as a highly provocative assault on our nation’s constitution and democratic process.
Indeed, from Mr. President’s public promises, one would have thought that he was desirous of leaving a legacy of credible elections, having failed in all ramifications of governance
However, this nomination of his personal staff, Lauretta Onchie, as INEC national commissioner, supports the position of the PDP that his statements were mere glib talks on electoral sanctity and clearly demonstrates that he has no plans whatsoever to leave a legacy of credible polls.
This ugly development is another shameful attempt to plant unscrupulous elements in INEC in order to corrupt and further desecrate the sanctity of the commission, undermine our electoral system and destabilize our democratic process ahead of the 2023 general elections.
We had hoped that, as Mr. President had professed in the past, he is truly running his second and final term in office. If that were so, then Lauretta Onochie’s nomination as INEC national commissioner clearly points to a totally different direction.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
