The ongoing drama regarding the appointment of Lauretta Onochie as an INEC commissioner is completely needless, except if it is a tactical move to take attention from other pressing issues in the country. Issues like insecurity, unrestricted kidnapping, harsh economy for the masses and so many others.
At her screening by a senate committee yesterday, the former or undercover or repentant or whatever APC stalwart continually and emphatically rejected the allegations that she is a card-carrying member of the ruling party, APC, and therefore could not hold a sensitive position such as INEC commissioner for which she has been appointed by president Buhari.
Some have likened it to Peter’s denial of Jesus before His crucifixion (hmmm, is Lauretta’s denial a prophecy for the forthcoming election). It is important to note that she has not been just an ordinary member, but a very vocal and active one, both on social media and on ground. A trace of her online activities we reveal her numerous tirades against every form of opposition to the APC government.
The question now is this, is there no other job the president can give to this faithful supporter? This move reeks of desperation, either on the part of the appointer or the appointee. It also shows disregard for honor and logic. It could also be a simple mistake. Then it is a simple mistake that can be corrected easily too.
Lauretta could have easily been put in an oil and gas sector or one of the numerous ministries of the country. She could have been given contracts, is that not what other loyalists are compensated with. There are many options for her to be placed somewhere without creating the current storm and bruhaha that we are seeing.
After all, most jobs in Nigeria are taken to drive hunger and poverty away. But in a case where Lauretta feels the job is beyond an issue of money for her, implying that she has a passion for electoral matter, she could as well set up a Non-Governmental-Organization that deals with election matters and in so doing find fulfillment.
After the senate screening, attention was drawn to a court affidavit the said Lauretta swore, affirming that she is an APC member. This affidavit was sworn last year 2020, and during the screening, she said she stopped being an APC member since 2019, oh, what blatant inconsistency.
I think what the president can do to calm this raging storm is simple. He recently appointed the former chief of army staff and chief of defense staff, Generals Buratai and Olonisakin as ambassadors to Benin and Cameroon respectively. Since they are both top notch apolitical officers, one of them can be sent to replace Lauretta whose allegiance is being questioned, while Lauretta will as well take the officer’s place, either in Benin or Cameroon.
