The Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headed by Senator Kabiru Gaya was on Tuesday trailed with petitions against some nominees who were billed to be screened as Resident Electoral Commissioners of INEC in Abuja.
The Committee screened 19 nominees who were nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari, out of which some of them were reappointed, while others were fresh nominations.
The nominees, who were petitioned as card carrying members of political parties are: Muhammad Lawal Bashir from Sokoto State, Pauline Onyeka from Imo state, and Dr Oliver Tersoo from Benue state.
During the screening, they all denied being members of any policy party.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya who presided over the exercise assured Nigerians of credible elections in 2023.
Accordingly, he said, the lawmakers were working hard particularly as the Committee have already forwarded the Electoral Offences Bill to Technical Committee in the House of Representatives and “it would be ready before 2023 general election.”
Senator Gaya noted: “The National Assembly is unwavering in making sure that the Independent National Electoral Commission succeeds in its assignment.
“It will interest you to know that the National Electoral Offences Bill is presently being worked on by a technical committee in the House of Representatives, the legislative intent is to ensure that INEC concentrates on the administration of elections.”
He electoral offenders would be punished even if the law intended to build a positive electoral culture for the country.
Meanwhile, nominees whose appointments were renewed for confirmation are Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa); Obo Effanga (Cross River); Umar Ibrahim (Taraba); Agboke Olaleke (Ogun); and Samuel Egwu (Kogi).
For the fresh appointment, the nominees are Onyeka Ugochi (Imo); Muhammad Bashir (Sokoto); Ayobami Salami, a professor, (Oyo); Zango Abdu (Katsina); Queen Agwu (Ebonyi); and Agundu Tersoo (Benue); Yomere Oritsemlebi (Delta); Yahaya Ibrahim, a professor, (Kaduna); Nura Ali (Kano); Agu Uchenna (Enugu); Ahmed Garki (FCT); Hudu Yunusa (Bauchi); Uzochukwu Chijioke, a professor, (Anambra); and Mohammed Nura (Yobe).
