PDP, Atiku, Saraki reject appointment of acting CJN



Posted By Admin

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have rejected the appointment of acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The PDP in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Friday in Abuja, said that the PDP rejected in its entirety, the attempts to foist an illegal Chief Justice on the nation while the substantive CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen remains in office.

PDP logo President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday suspended Onnoghen, pending the completion of his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and sworn in Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, from Bauchi State, as the acting CJN. According to the president, the suspension was as result of the ongoing trial of Onnoghen by the CCT and subsequent order of the tribunal directing him to suspend him, pending the completion of his trial.

Ologbondiyan who is also the Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) said that the PDP firmly held that such impunity could not stand, as Nigeria is a nation governed by law. He called on the National Assembly to immediately reconvene and proceed with legislative actions against  President Buhari over the suspension. “There can be no two Chief Justices of Nigeria.

Our constitution is clear on how a Chief Justice is appointed and removed,  as such does not lie on the prerogative of the President. “As such, we urge all Nigerians and the international community to recognize only Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Ologbondiyan invited the international community and particularly the United States and the United Kingdom to note that the action was an assault on the judiciary geared towards subverting the 2019 general elections. “Nigeria is a democratic state governed by the constitution and the law and Nigerians will never allow anybody to appropriate rulership to himself outside the dictates of the law,” Ologbondiyan said. Similarly, Atiku Abubakar rejected the appointment of an acting CJN and call on Justice Onnoghen and the judiciary to resist with every legal and constitutional means that they could muster.

Abubakar in a statement  described the President’s action as the latest  in the ongoing rape of the nation’s hard earned democracy . “The fact that the unlawful suspension of Onnoghen was announced just as it became public knowledge that the CJN was constituting the election petition tribunals is not lost on discerning Nigerians and the international community. ” This act of desperation is geared towards affecting the outcome of the 2019 Presidential elections.“Indeed, it is not just the CJN that has been “suspended”, it is the Nigerian Constitution that has been infracted and, in effect, suspended, under the guise of the suspension of the CJN.

Abubakar called for unity amongst the judiciary, saying they should not allow the APC government turn them against yourselves. “The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and the defender of our democracy. “I also urge the international community to follow the commendable example of the United States and the United Kingdom by intervening to make those involved in this undemocratic act know that their actions will have consequences. Strong consequences.”

He also urged Nigerian electorate to save the country from dictatorship by voting against desperate war against the judiciary.
In another reaction, Senate President Bukola Saraki, expressed concern over the suspension of  Onnoghen. Saraki, in a statement, said that the suspension was alien to the Constitution. “There are already the general belief that this action was taken to pre-empt the already scheduled inauguration of election petition tribunals by Onnoghen. “By unilaterally suspending the CJN without following the provision of the constitution is a dangerous signal to the entire world. “Our Constitution makes no provision for suspension of the nation’s highest judicial officer.

The constitution provides a clear process for removal of the CJN and specifies the roles of the three arms of government, beginning from the National Judicial Council (NJC), the National Assembly and the Presidency. “They all have different roles to play in that process, ” he said. He called for reversal of the decision to allow due process of law to take its natural course in determining the guilt or otherwise and suitability of Onnoghen to continue as the head of the nation’s judiciary.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Education Remains a Top Priority of Our Policy Thrust: Gov. Fubara

Image
The Rivers State Government says it will continue to place education as one of the top most priorities of its policy thrust. Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the 34th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt on Saturday 24th February, 2024. The Governor who spoke through his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, said although the University of Port Harcourt is a Federal University the State Government would continue to support and collaborate with it to place it in a path that  would be the envy of other institutions. “We shall support you because whenever we add value to this institution, you add double value to whatever we have placed before you and we shall continue to ensure that you are given a place of high distinction and excellence”, the Governor stressed. Governor Fubara disclosed that his administration was desirous to create the enabling environment to ensure Rivers State remains a preferred destination to achieve quality education in the count...
Read more

Governor Mutfwang Crowns New Ngolong Ngas, HRH Nde Jika Golit

Image
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has performed the coronation of the New Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit. The ceremony is coming nine years after the demise of the late Ngolong Ngas, Nde Joshua Dimlong. Governor Mutfwang, who performed the presentation of staff of office and certificate to the New Ngolong Ngas at the Pankshin Township Stadium, praised the Ngas Nation for a rancor-free selection process of the new Ngolong Ngas. He warned mischief makers against needless court actions that are capable of delaying or frustrating the selection and installation of traditional rulers in the state. He also implored citizens to alway accept the will of God in all circumstances. "I congratulate the Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit, on his ascension to the throne of his ancestors. His selection by the kingmakers, through a peaceful and rancor-free atmosphere, is worthy of emulation by other ethnic groups in the state." the Governor stated. "Let me s...
Read more

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE END OF AN ENLARGED MEETING ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024

Image
The PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of H.E. Governor Bala A. Mohammed, CON, held an enlarged meeting at the Bauchi State Governors’ Lodge, Tatari Ali House, Asokoro on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Rising from the consultative meeting of the various organs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Party resolved as follows: 1. The National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting originally slated for October 24, 2024, has been rescheduled to November 28, 2024. 2. The postponement is to ensure that the party goes into the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections of November 16, 2024 with the unity and strength demanded to unseat the floundering All Progressive Congress, APC government in the state. 3. Reiterating the need for unity in the face of efforts by detractors to divide the party, the meeting called on all members to shun divisive utterances that could undermine ongoing efforts at strengthening the party to effectively play its role as the country’s main opposition, preparatory...
Read more