Again, Buhari stirs controversy, as senate commences screening of Gumus for INEC Commissioner
Senate has commenced screening of Ms Rhoda Habor Gumus as a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over a month after her nomination by President Muhammadu Buihari.
President Buhari had presented Ms Rhoda Habor Gumus to the National Assembly as his candidate for Commissioner from the South South region at INEC.
Gumus is replacing the Ms Lauretta Onochie, whose attempt at scaling senate screening for the position, last year, was botched following mass protests which trailed her nomination, that eventually forced the lawmakers to reject her on the grounds of Federal Character, as there was already a Commissioner from the region at INEC.
However, while Onochie was also alleged to be a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as claimed by the petitions against her confirmation, investigation reveal that Gumus is in a similar situation.
Ms Gumus, an engineering professor at Niger-Delta University, was nominated by Buhari last month to replace Ms Onochie, his controversial aide on New Media.
Buhari, had on December 14, requested the Senate to confirm Ms Gumus as Onochie’s replacement for INEC commissioner representing the South-South geopolitical zone.
Senators have commenced confirmation hearings and may approve Ms Gumus’ nomination.
Gumus’ registration documents confirm her membership of the ruling party, an action that would violate the Nigerian Constitution if allowed to stand.
Registration documents show Gumus became a member of the APC on March 27, 2021, at Ward 08 in Yenagoa. Her membership number is 58315. Her name is also on the register of the party, and pressure groups within the ruling party have already congratulated her as a member.
The Third Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution prohibits appointment of anyone who is a card-carrying member of a political party as INEC commissioner. Senators dropped Ms Onochie last year on the same ground.
Already, a group led by political activist Mr. Deji Adeyanju has petitioned the Senate to reject Ms Gumus on constitutional grounds.
Adeyanju, in the letter addressed to Senate President Ahmed Lawan and copied to members of the committee on INEC, said Gumus’ nomination should not be allowed to scale through because it will compromise the nation’s electoral integrity.
