|
Nomination of PDP member as New INEC National
Commissioner : Group threatens to
sue FG
Newsdiaryonline Mon Oct 10,2011
Amb Nwuruku (Left)
President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime may have stirred another
controversy with the nomination of a new national commissioner
for the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC.Today,
the Independent Election Monitoring Group signalled its
intention to drag the government before the Federal
High Court if the President failed to withdraw the nomination of
Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku as a National Commissioner with the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
A statement in
Kaduna
signed by the National
Coordinator of the group, Barrister Festus Okoye said that the
nomination of the Ambassador Nwuruku as a National Commissioner
with INEC was done in contravention of the provisions of section
156 of the 1999 constitution as amended. Okoye said that section
156 of the Nigerian constitution as amended stipulates that no
nominee for the position shall be a member of a political party,
pointing out that Nwuruku who is currently Nigeria’s Ambassador
to Mexico was a card carrying member of the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).
The group also urged the senate not to confirm the said
appointment which is made in breach of section 156 of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended,
saying “Section 156 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria 1999 as amended makes it mandatory that a member of
the Independent National Electoral Commission shall not be a
member of a political party.
“Chief Lawrence Nwuruku is currently Nigeria’s Ambassador to
Mexico and was nominated to the said position on the basis of
his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). In the year
2003, he contested the Governorship elections in Ebonyi State
under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
“During the 2007 elections, he contested for the same position
under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was
the State Coordinator, 2007 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Presidential/Gubernatorial Campaign organisation in Ebonyi
State. He was formerly a National Commissioner in the
Independent National Electoral Commissioner and left to join
partisan politics.
“The nomination of Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku as a National
Commissioner violates the provisions of section 156 of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended
as he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while
the Constitution makes it mandatory that a nominee for the
position shall not be a member of a political party.
“The nomination of Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku as a National
Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission is
a fundamental mistake and breach of the law and the constitution
and the Presidency should as a matter of urgency withdraw the
said nomination.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria swore to
defend and protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria and cannot be seen to violate the same Constitution he
swore to protect and defend through the nomination of a
candidate whose nomination clearly negates that avowed
commitment to fundamental constitutional ideals.
“The injection of a person with clear partisan inclination into
the top hierarchy of the Commission will create an unfortunate
atmosphere of suspicion and fear as other Commissioners may
perceive such a person as a mole deliberately planted by the
Government to checkmate independent decisions and initiatives.
“The nomination will compromise the gains already made by the
Commission in terms of repositioning itself as an independent,
non partisan electoral management body committed to
international standards and practices.
“We therefore plead with the President of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria to withdraw the said nomination which we presume was
made in error. Alternatively, plead with and urge the Senate of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria to rise above partisan political
interests and considerations and refuse the confirmation of the
appointment of Lawrence Nwuruku as his nomination breaches the
spirit and essence of the ongoing constitutional and electoral
reforms.
“Should the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria refuse
to withdraw the said nomination and the Senate of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria goes ahead to confirm the said nomination,
we shall proceed to the Federal High Court to challenge the
constitutionality and legality of the said nomination and
confirmation as it is patently illegal and a breach of the law
and the Constitution.
“We must consolidate on the gains already made in terms of
reforming the electoral process and making it conforms to
international standards. The present nomination will reverse
such gains and that will not be good for the people of Nigeria.
“The government, its agencies and organs as well as all the
major stakeholders in the electoral process must endeavour to
reengage the Nigerian people with the electoral process and this
can be done through the maintenance and retention of the current
perception of the people that it can be trusted to maintain a
certain level of independence and impartiality in the running
and management of the electoral process”.
|
