Presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, on Thursday insisted she was not a member of the All Progressives Congress during her screening by the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Onochie appeared before the committee following her nomination for the role of a National Commissioner for INEC by President Muhammadu Buhari against protest from the public.
The nominee’s denial however contradicts an affidavit she swore to earlier in which she affirmed her membership of the party. She claimed that she stopped being a member years ago.
Other nominees who appeared for the screening include: Professors Muhammad Kallah (Katsina), Kunle Ajayi (Ekiti), Saidu Ahmad (Jigawa), Sani Adam (North Central), and Baba Bila (North East).
Onochie who was accompanied to the Senate wing of the National Assembly by the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Babajide Omoworare acknowledged the series of petitions against her, which bordered on her membership of the APC and the fact that someone from her state was already on the board of the INEC.
She said she was no longer a member. Responding to questions, she renounced her membership three times before the Senate committee.
She admitted being part of Buhari’s campaign organisation in 2015 before her appointment as the Special Assistant on social media.
She also admitted swearing to an affidavit at an Abuja Federal High Court that she was a member of the APC.
Onochie said, “I have learned, over the years, to stand with the constitution and due process but not on partisanship or sentiments.
“Since 2019, I have not had anything to do with any political organisation, including Buhari support groups.
“When APC was doing re-validation of party members, I did not take part in that exercise.
“As I’m sitting down here, I’m not a member of any political party in this country.
“I have no partisanship in my blood. I have seen many petitions against my nomination not only from the PDP, but also from some APC members.
“I’m not partisan; they know. It is about the law. No one has any reason to fear for my nomination as INEC commissioner representing Delta.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m Madam Due Process. That’s why all the attacks. I follow due process; I follow the law.”
However, an affidavit dated 30th June, 2021 she swore to at an FCT High Court, attached to one of the petitions against her, contradicted her claims.
She deposed to the affidavit at the High Court of the FCT in a case involving her as Plaintiff and one Emeka Ugwuonye (Defendant).
Onochie in her witness statement on oath on paragraph three stated, “That I am also engaged in active politics and a member of Neighbourhood Watch and has also contested the local government elections under the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom.
“I am also a member of the All Progressives Congress and a volunteer at the Buhari Support Organisation.”
In response, Senators Ifeanyi Ubah, Seriake Dickson, Istifanus Gyang and Ike Ekeweremadu, in their separate questions asked Onochie again to confirm her membership of the APC.
She denied her membership on the three occasions, prompting Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) to suggest that Onochie be placed on oath. He was supported by Senator Lawal Gumau (Bauchi South).
The suggestion however opposed by two PDP senators, Ike Ekewremadu and Seriake Dickson, who stated that the Senate Rules did not allow them to put any nominee on oath during screening.
Kabiru Gaya, the Chairman of the panel, ruled in their favour and adjourned the proceedings, saying the report of his panel would be submitted to the Senate at plenary next week for consideration and possible approval.
