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Tag: Lauretta Onochie

Lauretta Onochie

  • BREAKING: Confirmation of Lauretta Onochie as INEC Commissioner to be determined by voice vote

    BREAKING: Confirmation of Lauretta Onochie as INEC Commissioner to be determined by voice vote

    The confirmation of Lauretta Onochie as a Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be subject to a voice vote by the Senate.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Kabir Gaya, Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC made this known on Tuesday.

    Senator Gaya said he was just the chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC and that members of his committee have a say.

    He stressed that if those who voted affirmative for the confirmation of Onochie as INEC Commissioner are more in numbers, the yeah usually wins the decision.

    “It is all based on the decision taken by committee members. I am just the chairman of the committee, I only coordinate what is going to be done.

    “Certainly the members have a say. I will work based on democracy, if the number of those who are more in numbers say yeah, the yeah usually wins the decision.

    “Sadly, I will continue to work as the chairman, and I will try to be as fair as I can,” Gaya said.

    Recall that Buhari nominated for the second time Onochie, his media aide on Social Media for the position of INEC Commissioner.

    The nomination of Onochie has sparked controversy in different spheres for being an ardent supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Gaya, while speaking on Channels TV Politics Today programme, revealed that eleven petitions were received, including a petition from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said petitions were received against Onochie’s nomination and some other nominees, and that the committee likewise received petitions supporting the candidature of some nominees.

    Gaya stated that the nominees would be invited for screening on Thursday and that they would be questioned based on the petitions received.

    “As usual when people or nominees of Mr President come to the Senate, the President of the Senate reads on the floor of the Senate and he then commits it to the relevant committee.

    “Like those who are going to be appointed commissioners of INEC, whether national or REC commissioners, then it means that, that would be forwarded to the INEC committee.

    “We received petitions from various persons or people, writing petitions against nominees. We have received petitions on some of the nominees of Mr President for this screening, and we will look at the petitions, when they have grounds, then we use the said petition, but where the grounds are not strong enough, then we may only do what is right, and whatever it is, we will do what is right.

    “For the nominees, yes we have six people waiting. We should hope that by Thursday, I think we would be able to invite them, this Thursday, and then, screen them before we even discuss the Electoral Act on Tuesday and Wednesday.

    “So, we have the petitions; we have received petitions differently but for the number of petitions, all of the petitions were received, passed from the clerk of the committee.

    “When we are doing screening, every member of the committee would be given copies of those petitions. Then we ask the nominees questions based on those petitions. If you answer well, fine. If you did not answer well, then, we have the right to take a decision, which is going to be according to the law.

    “We have about eleven petitions so far, maybe more may even come tomorrow or by Thursday. Even, we have petition from PDP headquarters. Then we have petitions from other nongovernmental organisations, and then individuals.

    “Some have written petitions against her nomination or some other nominees. And then, some have written petitions supporting the candidature of some nominees.

    “So, as I said earlier, it’s all based on decision taken by the committee members. I am just the chairman of the committee. I only coordinate how it’s going to be done but certainly the members have a say,” Gaya said.

  • JUST IN: PDP leaders storm NASS, protest Buhari’s aide’s nomination as INEC Commissioner

    JUST IN: PDP leaders storm NASS, protest Buhari’s aide’s nomination as INEC Commissioner

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday stormed the National Assembly to protest against the nomination of the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, for appointment as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, representing Delta State.

    This happened as the party vowed that four of of its lawmakers that recently decamped to the All Progressives Congress will be made to lose their seats in the Senate.

    The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus led the protest.

    Secondus in a petition addressed to the Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, and titled: “Rejection of the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as INEC Commissioner” said the Senate should save itself in particular and Nigeria in general from ridicule by rejecting Onochie.

    The letter signed by the National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri, reads: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has learnt of the nomination of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie as a Commissioner in INEC by Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The nomination which was read on the floor of the Senate and forwarded to your committee for screening has created a lot of misgivings in the court of public opinion and judgement.

    “Our Party considers it as important to bring to the attention of your committee the fact that our duty is to let you know that the National Assembly must endeavour to do things right and in accordance with the dictates of the laws of the country.

    “The Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) clearly prohibits people like Mrs. Onochie, who is very partisan, in fact, a card carrying member of a political party to be appointed into INEC as an electoral umpire.

    “Section 156(i)(a) and third schedule, Part 1, Item F, Paragraph 14(1) of the Constitution have out rightly disqualified her.

    “We are, therefore, writing to ask the Chairman to save the Senate President, the Senate itself and Mr. President from being ridiculed.

    “We call on your committee to reject the nomination of Mrs. Onochie because she cannot be neutral or independent as she is factually known to be an unrepentant card carrying member of the APC with uncountable number of proofs.

    “Her confirmation will be a wholesome abuse of democratic tenets and dragging the reputation of the President and the Senate in the political mud.

    “Please, don’t make an avoidable legislative and political mistake for the country.”

    Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the protest which took place at the outer gate of the National Assembly popularly called MOPOL Gate, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, insisted that lawmakers who recently dumped the party and pitched their tent with the APC will be made to vacate their seats in due course.

  • Concerned Nigerians group urges Senate to reject nomination of Lauretta Onochie as INEC commissioner

    Concerned Nigerians group urges Senate to reject nomination of Lauretta Onochie as INEC commissioner

    The Concerned Nigerians group has asked the Nigerian Senate to reject the nomination of Lauretta Onochie, Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, as National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, representing the South-South.

    Onochie was nominated as an INEC commissioner by Buhari in October 2020.

    Eight months after her nomination, Ahmad Lawan, Senate President, asked the Committee on INEC to commence the screening process.

    In a letter to Lawan on Monday, the group said Onochie’s nomination goes contrary to the provisions of the constitution, which prohibit nomination of partisan people for the office.

    The letter signed by its Convener, Comrade Deji Adeyanju reads, “We write, in our capacity, as a citizen-led human rights organisation to offer a timely warning on the proposed confirmation of Ms. Lauretta Onochie as an INEC commissioner, in clear violation of the provisions of the extant Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    “In the same vein, we urge you to immediately clear Professor Sani Adams, a professor of law who is eminently qualified to be a national commissioner and other Nigerians on the list.

    “It is public knowledge that Ms. Onochie is a card-carrying of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a supporter and political aide of the president. We find it very worrisome that the Senate, under your leadership, appears to have made up its mind to confirm Ms. Onochie as an INEC Commissioner. You may note that Paragraph 14 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution as amended by Section 30, Act No 1 of 2010, states that a member of the Independent National Electoral Commission shall be non-partisan.

    “We wish to draw your attention to the fact that elections in Nigerfa usually determine, to a large extent, the nation’s fate. Accordingly, the Senate must be careful not to set a dangerous precedent with the confirmation of Ms. Onochie, lest a day come when the president of Nigeria may nominate his party chairman as the INEC Chairman.

    “If this your proposed action of confirming Ms. Onochie goes on according to plan, it will make many lose hope in elections and democracy in the country. We urge you not to reverse all our democratic gains by this action.

    “In the light of the foregoing, we hereby request that you take urgent steps to safeguard the nation’s present and future electoral process, by declining the nomination of Ms. Onochie as an INEC Commissioner.”

  • BREAKING: Again, Buhari nominates Lauretta Onochie as INEC Commissioner

    BREAKING: Again, Buhari nominates Lauretta Onochie as INEC Commissioner

    President Muhammadu Buhari has re-presented the confirmation of Lauretta Onochie, his Special Assistant on Social Media and five others for appointment as National Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Onochie’s previous nomination was turned down on Oct. 12, 2020 by the Senate, following an outcry by some senators on her nomination.

    Presenting an executive communication from Buhari, seeking the confirmation of the nominees at plenary on Wednesday, leader of the Senate, Sen.Yahaya Abdullahi (APC Kebbi -North) said:

    “That the Senate do consider the request of Mr President on the confirmation of the nomination of the following persons for appointment as commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with paragraph 14 part I(F) of the third schedule to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

    “The nominees are: Prof. Muhammad Sani Kallah (Commissioner Katsina); Lauretta Onochie (Commissioner Delta), Prof. Kunle Cornelius Ajayi (Commissioner Ekiti); Saidu Babura Ahmad (Commissioner Jigawa); Prof. Sani Muhammad Adam (Commissioner North- Central) and Dr Baba Bila (Commissioner North- East).’’

    However, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia) and minority leader, when asked to second the motion by the Senate leader, said Lauretta Onochie as a nominee had been rejected by the Senate earlier.

    Senate president, Ahmad Lawan in his remark, however referred the nominations to Committee on INEC for further legislative inputs and to report back in two weeks.

  • Buhari’s aide deletes Facebook post to cover up mess

    Buhari’s aide deletes Facebook post to cover up mess

    With the view to cover her tracks, special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on social media, Lauretta Onochie has deleted the mess she posted on Facebook referring to Nigerians as morons.

    While Onochie did not tender an apology before or after deleting the Facebook post, screenshots of the non-palatable post and the demeaning conversations that ensued have already been captured before they were deleted.

    Onochie as usual of controversial self rained abuses on one of her social media followers, calling him a fool, and spitting bile that she left two appointments in the United Kingdom (UK) to serve in the Buhari’s government.

    “…fools like you do not know that I left two appointments in the UK, to come here and be responding to morons like you,” Onochie stated with impunity in the now deleted Facebook post.

    Meanwhile, checks have shown that, in the UK Onochie was referring to, she was not the next person to Theresa May then, neither was she gainfully unemployed; but was out of job when she was appointed.

    She was managing as consultant for AfricaFirst at the time she was appointed. Since her appointment, she is only famous for making unfounded controversial posts on social media.

    Meanwhile, this is not the first time Buhari’s appointees will rubbish their offices for their previous engagement.

    Recall that current Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami had once rubbished the office of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

    He even declared that his salary and allowances as Buhari’s minister were not up to what he received as lecturer in Saudi Arabia.

    Meanwhile, Pantami had been inundated by, what the presidency has described as, a ‘cancel campaign’, but the Minister has refused to resign, and the government has refused to sack him.

  • I left 2 appointments in UK to respond to morons in Nigeria – Buhari’s aide

    I left 2 appointments in UK to respond to morons in Nigeria – Buhari’s aide

    Aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie as usual went haywire on Thursday to rain abuses on one of her social media followers.

    In raining abuses on the social media follower, calling him a fool, Onochie said she left two appointments in the United Kingdom (UK) to serve in the Buhari’s government.

    “…fools like you do not know that I left two appointments in the UK, to come here and be responding to morons like you,” Onochie stated.

    She added: “My hope is that you acquire maturity and grace to make something better of your life, instead of abusing people who have never personally insulted you. May God judge you”.

    It all started with a post the presidential aide made on Facebook, pointing fingers at those who criticize Buhari’s government.

    “MATURITY: Maturity is when you keep your mouth shut when you want to say something mean to someone. Only people at peace with themselves can do this. Wailers and Askholes are not at peace with themselves,” Onochie posted on her official Facebook profile.

    However, trouble started when a Facebook user that goes by the name Nyiyongu Solomon commented on the post, stating: “Remember there is life after government”.

    TNG reports Onochie is currently the special assistant to Buhari on social media.

    Meanwhile, checks have shown that she was unemployed and out of job when she was appointed.

    She was managing as consultant for AfricaFirst at the time she was appointed.

    Since her appointment, she is only famous for making unfounded controversial posts on social media.

    Meanwhile, this is not the first time Buhari’s appointees will rubbish their offices for their previous engagement.

    Recall that current Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami had once rubbished the office of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

    He even declared that his salary and allowances as Buhari’s minister were not up to what he received as lecturer in Saudi Arabia.

    Meanwhile, Pantami had been inundated by, what the presidency has described as, a ‘cancel campaign’, but the Minister refused to resign and the government refused to sack him.

  • Why Buhari will continue to go abroad for medical checkups – Aide

    Why Buhari will continue to go abroad for medical checkups – Aide

    Aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie has alluded to reasons why her principal will continue to go abroad for medical checkups.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Onochie explained why President Buhari will continue to go abroad for medical checkups in a social media post shared on Facebook on Tuesday.

    She narrated how she ran from pillar to post in 2016 when Buhari just took office the psychology of the relationship between the President and his long-standing doctor of about 40 years.

    The post reads: “We have been here since 2016. Its been the same wailing. So the response will also be the same.

    “I do not understand why the pandemic has negatively affected certain people more than the rest of us.

    “People across the world, have personal physicians. President Buhari is not an exception. People go to wherever their personal doctors are especially one they have seen for decades.

    “Pres. Buhari won’t dump his doctor of about 40 years so that wailers can be happy. That’s blackmail. Thankfully, he doesn’t pay blackmailers.

    “When he took ill in 2016, everything was explained. I was running from one media house to the other like a headless chicken, educating us on the psychology of the relationship between a patient and his or her long-standing doctor. Thankfully, he made a full recovery.

    “In 2017, 2018 and 2019, he went for #CheckUps. In 2020 he went before the beginning of the pandemic. The same wailing and the same explanations.

    “I do not know any man who will have a different barber cut his hair when the one he is used to, is not available.

    “I don’t know any lady who would have her hair or nails done by a different hair dresser or technician from her usual, let alone, change her doctor.

    “But it goes to show that many of us do not go for checkups because we do not understand what it means. We only see doctors when we are unwell. Those who take their health seriously, have annual checkups. That’s what President Buhari is attending to.

    “The same wailers told their gullible followers that the man in the Villa, is not President Buhari. So, why bother?

    “The fact remains that if President Buhari chooses, he will go for checkups in 2022, and 2023. Then from 2024, when he will not need to inform Nigerians, he will continue to go. Its his choice to go or not to go.

    “Wailing cannot take away his rights to see his personal doctors. So, wailers must get ready for two more years of wailing”.

  • Nigerians flaunting lifestyles they can’t afford’ll be probed – Lauretta Onochie

    Nigerians flaunting lifestyles they can’t afford’ll be probed – Lauretta Onochie

    Lauretta Onochie, social media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, has averred that Nigerians who flaunt lifestyles they cannot afford offline and online will be investigated.

    Mrs Onochie made this known on Monday in a tweet, crediting it to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

     

    “Lifestyle Audit is now legal in Nigeria. Those who flaunt lifestyles they cannot afford can now be investigated by any of the graft agencies to produce evidence of the sources of their wealth. You can now be called upon to explain how you acquired certain properties. -@ICPC_PE,” Onochie wrote.

    Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa had said the commission will from June 1 demand asset declaration forms of bankers.

    He said the decision was in line with the provisions of the Bank, Employees Declaration of Asset Act.

     

  • Buhari’s aide gives update on release of Jangebe schoolgirls

    Buhari’s aide gives update on release of Jangebe schoolgirls

    Aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie has confirmed all 317 schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata Mafara local Government Area of Zamfara State were released.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Jangebe schoolgirls were released on Sunday and were received at the palace of the Emir of Anka waiting transportation to Gusau, the State capital.

    Onochie, giving the update on the release of the schoolgirls, thanked men and women of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). She also expressed thanks to the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle for the release of the schoolgirls.

    “317 kidnapped Jangebe School girls have been released safely. Kudos to the men and women of our @HQNigerianArmy and the @PoliceNG

    “Well done too, to the Governor and the Chief Security Officer of Zamfara State. When all the states work well, the nation is better of,” Onochie tweeted, following the release of the schoolgirls.

    At the time of filing this report, it is not clear how much was paid as ransom for the release of the Jangebe schoolgirls.

    Recall the Jangebe schoolgirls, 317 of them, were kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe in the early hours of Friday.

    On December 11th, 2020 bandits took 303 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina into captivity.

    On February 17, bandits kidnapped 41 students and staff of the Government Science Secondary, Kagara, Niger State.

    The 317 schoolgirls kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe is the latest in a series of attacks carried out by bandits on schools across the Northern parts of Nigeria.

  • Onochie’s INEC Nomination: Yet another presidential gaffe – Lawmakers

    Onochie’s INEC Nomination: Yet another presidential gaffe – Lawmakers

    By Emman Ovuakporie
    Still grappling with harsh economic challenges occasioned by the sudden increase in fuel pump price and the #ENDSARS protest, the citizenry have being jolted with the nomination of Ms. Lauretta Onochie, a senior assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, as INEC National Commissioner to represent Delta state.
    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports condemnation of the nomination by President Buhari led administration by lawmkers considering the fact that INEC ought to be an independent umpire in electoral matters.
    Read their reactions below:
    It’s unlawful and an abberation-Rep Tajudeen Yusuf, PDP, Kogi
    In his view, Yusuf felt the president didn’t get the right adivise from his plethora of advisers who ought to have known better.
    He said “without a doubt, her nomination which runs foul of certain provisions of the Nigerian constitution, as well as breaking morality is yet another decision gaffe by the presidency.
    “It is shocking, surprising and unbelievable that with the retinue of officials, aides and appointees with legal background and administrative competencies occupying strategic positions in government, none was able to advise and guide President Muhammadu Buhari appropriately to the effect that the nomination of Ms. Onochie will contravene Item F, paragraph 14 of the third schedule of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); which forbids a partisan politician as a member of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
    The Kogi lawmaker added that”it is baffling that Ms. Onochie who has the unenviable record and penchant for engaging in needless tirades, uncouth language and unimaginable propensity for mudslinging; in her duties as presidential aide on social media, could be considered and nominated for a position that requires high level morality, unblemished maturity, unambiguous decorum and unparalleled decency.
    “To a large extent, her nomination, unfortunately, is a glaring manifestation of how terribly low and abysmal governance has gone in Nigeria.
    “One only hopes that with the deluge of public criticism that has welcomed her nomination, President Muhammadu Buhari, who perhaps may have being misguided, will take the necessary and Immediate action by replacing her with another person whose nomination will not generate public condemnation and general ridicule. Also, if her nomination is driven by President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to recognize and reward her commitment to work, loyalty and service, there are numerous positions and offices to deploy her to but not as National Commissioner in INEC; where such key positions should be reserved for non-partisan and independent minded persons.
    It’s improper to appoint aide as a refreeze in an umpire body-Rep Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, PDP, Abia
    Nkem-Abonta, a lawyer in a telephone conversation with TNG simply said it’s out of place for Buhari to appoint his aide to be part of a body designed to be umpire in electoral matters in Nigeria.