Onochie: PDP Thanks Nigerians, Lauds Her Rejection As INEC Commissioner

The main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the rejection of Presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, as a National Commissioner on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by the Senate, as a victory for Nigerians and Democracy.

In rejecting her nomination on Tuesday, the Senate had among other things, including the deluge of petitions against her, cited the violation of Federal Character provisions.

Delta State where she comes from, already has a National Commissioner, May Agbamuche, on the Commission.

But in its reaction to her rejection, the PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Oligbondiyan, said it was the protest mounted by Nigerians that denied her of the appointment. The party lauded Nigerians, and especially, the Media and Civil Society Organisations, for speaking when it mattered most, and for standing by the truth, and democracy.

Following is the full text of PDP’s reaction;

INEC: Onochie’s Rejection At Senate Is Victory For Nigerians, Democracy

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the Senate’s rejection of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of his aide and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Lauretta Onochie, as a national commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the triumph of the Nigerian people over the barefaced attempt by the Buhari led-APC administration to corrupt and hijack the commission ahead of 2023 elections.

“The PDP asserts that the rejection of Lauretta Onochie by Nigerians has saved the nation from very  serious crisis as well as salvaged INEC and the entire Nigerian electoral process from a ruinous pollution that would have led to the collapse of our democratic order.

“The party asserts that Onochie’s vexatious nomination, in total affront to paragraph 14 of the 3rd schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), was a very dangerous machination by the Buhari-led APC Presidency against our electoral process, in the attempt to subvert the will of the people in the 2023 elections.

“The APC, in spite of its shenanigans, is aware that it will have difficulties winning election at any level in a free, fair and credible election and as such it is determined to rig every process ahead of the 2023 elections.

“Our party, therefore, commends Nigerians including civil society organizations, the media as well as other political parties, for joining forces with the PDP in fighting for the sanctity of our electoral process by resisting Onochie’s nomination.

“The stiff resistance displayed by Nigerians across board, in repelling this vicious attempt to hijack and pollute the electoral commission, underscores their collective and unwavering determination to resist and kick out the APC in 2023, despite its shenanigans.

“The PDP urges Nigerians not to rest on their oars but to continue in this spirit in fighting for our democracy, particularly in further resisting the attempt to alter the Electoral Act to prohibit direct electronic transmission of elections results from polling units.

“It is clear that the APC is pushing for the prohibition of electronic transmission of results because it seeks to use its usual malpractices alteration of figures, switching of results as well as disappearance of ballot materials while on transit to collation centers to, again, subvert the will of the people and manipulate its hold on power in 2023.

“Our party, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Nigerian people, will use every means available and permissible under our laws to ensure that such provision that seeks to institutionalize and endorse rigging is not allowed to pass.

“The PDP therefore counsels the APC to read the handwriting on the wall and know that Nigerians are ready and waiting to resist them at any turn ahead of the 2023 election.”