INEC COMMISSIONER: Nigerian Women storm NASS Complex over delayed Lauretta Onochie’s confirmation, say Enough is Enough

*Vow to resist attempt to shortchange them over Lauretta

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

“We strongly condemn any move by SOME unguarded Men, protesting against the nomination of a Nigerian Woman, Mrs Lauretta Onochief from being confirmed by National Assembly as a Commissioner REPRESENTING South-South in INEC by PRESIDENT, women in Nigeria have not been given the required 35% affirmation in all levels of government and any act to shortchange us or protest our nomination is aberration of the Berlin Agreement,” said the Nigerian women.

The Nigerian women, under the aegis of Nigeria Women for Good Governance and Inclusive Government, have lent their voices to the ongoing protests against the unexplained Senate’s delayed confirmation of Lauretta Onochief as National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This they did by storming the National Assembly Complex at the Three-Arm Zone Abuja in their numbers ventilating their displeasure about the treatment meted to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Social Media Aide, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, on baseless excuses.

Recall that President Buhari nominated Onochie alongside Prof. Kunle Ajayi (Ekiti), Saidu Ahmad (Jigawa), Prof. Muhammad Kallah (Katsina), Dr Baba Bila (North-East) and Prof Sani Adam (North-Central), and their names were sent to the Senate for confirmation since in October 2020, nine months now that the President’s transmitted letter requesting the request of the nominees has remained unattended to with the Senate for no other reason but ‘mischievous’ behaviours of some elements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other interest against one of the nominees, Lauretta.

The women, who carried placards, said they were in support of Onochie as INEC National Commissioner and that they were against any form of intimidation or subjugation, which they believe were merely in effort to block her confirmation and which must be allowed to succeed.

The women vowed to continue to resist blackmailers and those trying to bully the women of integrity, Lauretta Onochie, for always defending online her boss, President Buhari, against enemies of Nigeria.

One of the women, who spoke, said the essence of their protest was to register their displeasure over the delay in confirming Onochie whose name was forwarded by President Buhari to Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, since October 2020.

“We are here for the world to hear us, and for the Senate President to know that we are not happy over the delay in confirming Onochie as INEC Commissioner.

“We ask the Senate to confirm her or let the world know why her confirmation is being delayed for no just reason.

“We shall continue to stand against intimidation and subjugation of Nigeria women, and agents of underdevelopment.

“We hereby, urge the Senate to disregard enemies of progress who see nothing good in a patriotic Onochie, and respond to President Buhari’s request for peace to reign.

“This is nine months Onochie’s name and others were sent to the Senate for confirmation. We are no longer happy. That is why we are hear to express our displeasure. Enough is enough!” She said.

In the meantime, the protesting Nigerian women have put their complaints in a written letter titled, “Confirmation of Lauretta Onochie as INEC Commissioner”.

The letter, addressed to the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and signed by Mrs Nkiru Ogbuli on behalf of women group, has been submitted to the Senate President and its receipt was duly acknowledged dated  1 July 2021.

According to a copy of the acknowledged letter obtained by The DEFENDER, the Nigeria Women for Good Governance and Inclusive Government said:

“We strongly condemn any move by SOME unguarded Men, protesting against the nomination of a Nigerian Woman, Mrs Lauretta Onochief from being confirmed by National Assembly as a Commissioner REPRESENTING South-South in INEC by PRESIDENT, women in Nigeria have not been given the required 35% affirmation in all levels of government and any act to shortchange us or protest our nomination is aberration of the Berlin Agreement.”

Copies of letter written to the Senate President by Nigerian Women shown below: