INEC Commissioner Nominee: Agundu debunks allegation of partisanship
A Resident Electoral Commissioner nominee for Benue State of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Oliver Agundu on Tuesday distanced himself from a petition which purportedly said he is partisan.
Contrary to a petition alleging that he is a card carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agundu said it is a calculated attempt to tarnish his image and stop his appointment.
Agundu spoke on Tuesday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission and chaired by Senator Kabiru Gaya.
It would be recalled that a group under the aegis, National Forum for Strict Adherence to Justice (NAFSAJ) in a petition dated 27th July, 2022, signed by Tordoo Akuma and addressed to chairman of the Committee alleged that it has material evidence that the nominee, a lecturer at Benue State, University, who is now INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner nominee for Benue State is an alleged registered member of the PDP.
The petition said “Therefore, in reference to the Nigerian Constitution, his nomination violates paragraph 14 part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended which states that a member of INEC shall be non-partisan”.
But the Benue State University lecturer said “I want to state very clearly that I am not a member of any political party and have never been a member of any party.
“Basically, I feel that this is a false and fake petition aimed at tarnishing my image and possibly seeking for distinguished senators to stop my nomination”.
Meanwhile, Senator representing Cross River North, Senator Jarigbe Agom, a member of the Committee and supporting other senator put it succinctly, “We have listened to you and we have no doubt that you are an erudite scholar as young as you are, that means the sky is the limit.
“We have no doubt as to your qualification, capacity and competence and you are eminently qualified and I can say that there are conflicting information in the petition so therefore urge this Committee to throw away this petition because it is dead on arrival ” Agom said.
In the view of the lawmaker, there are conflicting positions in the petition.
On his part, the Minority Leader of the Senate, Philip Aduda also questioned the integrity of the petition pointing that the alleged petition had discrepancies.
“I am worried because this petitioner is trying to tarnish the image of my party, PDP. The petitioner stated that Agundu’s membership card of 2020 was signed by our current chairman, distinguished Senator Iorchir Ayu whereas he assumed office in 2022. This is unacceptable and it’s a forgery as well. We will have to invite the petitioners to explain further “, Aduda State.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Senate INEC Commitee, Kabiru Gaya asked the Benue Federal INEC nominee to take a bow a leave.
