The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Interim Chairman, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Mr Femi Falana, has faulted the appointment of Mrs Lauretta Onochie as an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner.

Falana said Mrs Lauretta Onochie is an unrepentant member of the ruling party and has consistently attacked members of other political parties as against the legal qualification for the appointment of a member of the commission.

It would be recalled that Mrs Lauretta Onochie is currently occupying the position of President Muhammed Buhari’s Special Assistant on Social Media.

The Senior Advocate made this known in a statement issued to Tribune Online, on Tuesday, in Lagos.

He said that her appointment contravenes Paragraph 14 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution as amended by Section 30, Act No 1 of 2010.

“In view of the desire of President Muhammadu Buhari to fill some vacancies in the Independent National Electoral Commission, it has become pertinent to draw the attention of the Council of State and the Senate to the following provisions of the Constitution.
“Paragraph 14 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution as amended by Section 30, Act No 1 of 2010, a member of the Independent National Electoral Commission “shall be non-partisan”. From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that a card-carrying member of a registered political party or a well-known supporter of a particular political party is constitutionally disqualified from the membership of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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As an unrepentant member of the ruling party, Mrs Loretta Onochie has consistently attacked members of other political parties. “To that extent, she is partisan and therefore not qualified to be a member of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he said.

While citing other sections of the constitution regarding the appointment of the INEC Commissioners, Falana said that it is within the purview of the Council of State to advise the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to the appointment of members to the commission. Femi further explained that the constitution also stipulated that the appointment shall be subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

“In appointing the members of the INEC the President is required to consult with the Council of State pursuant to section 154 (3)of the Constitution “Paragraph B of Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution provides that “The Council of State shall have the power to advise the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to (iv) the Independent National Electoral Commission including the appointment of the members of the Commission.

“Pursuant to section 154 (1) of the Constitution, the appointment of the members of the Independent National Electoral Commission shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate,” Femi stated.

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Enyinnaya Abaribe, minority leader of the senate, says the 2021 budget of N13.08 trillion presented to a joint session of the national assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari is unrealistic.

Speaking on Tuesday during a debate on 2021 budget estimates, Abaribe faulted the assumptions the appropriation bill was premised on.

The budget is based on an exchange rate benchmark of N379/$ and crude oil production of 1.86 million barrels per day (including 400,000 barrels of condensate) at $40 per barrel.

Capital expenditure in the budget is estimated at N2.083 trillion which represents 29 per cent of the total budget. It targets three per cent GDP growth and 11.95 per cent inflation rate.

However, the minority leader said the budget is “nothing but old news.”

“This budget is nothing but the same. We have a budget based on unrealistic expectations. We are not also so sure what the oil situation is going to be,” he said.

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“If the budget is based on assumption, I agree but why are not assuming properly. I want to go ahead and say it does not reflect the understanding of the fundamental challenges of today.

“This budget is nothing but old news. Every time the same old news, nothing new.”

On his part, George Sekibo, senator representing Rivers north-east, wondered why the funds earmarked for capital projects is less the deficit.

“The budget of 13.08 trillion has a deficit of 5.20 trillion. How can the capital project be lower than the deficit? I hope when we get the money, it is properly utilised,” he said.

Ike Ekweremadu, senator representing Enugu west, expressed dismay that the projected debt to GDP ratio is over three percent.

“For the first time, the debt to GDP Ratio is over 3%. I want the committee on finance and appropriation to find a solution to this,” he said.

“I have been very worried about the way we are going in terms of borrowing. I am concerned about the loan being given by China. They will not let you go off any of the debt because all the monies are for specific projects and if they are not done they take over,” he said.

Debate on the budget was adjourned till Wednesday.

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