Lagos, Nigeria (CNN) Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has come under intense scrutiny for suspending his country's Chief Justice just weeks before a general election, a move that critics have attacked as tyrannical and unconstitutional.

Buhari defended his decision on Twitter, saying corruption allegations against Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen -- who has been accused of failing to disclose bank accounts in foreign currencies -- are "grievous."

But the move was labelled a "coup against democracy" by the President of the Nigerian Senate, and prompted an outcry from the country's major opposition party, which halted its presidential election campaign in protest.

Nigeria's elections will be a battle between youth and the old order
Nigeria's elections will be a battle between youth and the old order

Describing the action as a "dangerous and brazen assault on the constitution," the Campaign Council of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) said Friday that there was no point in campaigning in an election whose basis has been so flagrantly undermined.

"When democracy comes under this kind of virulent attack, then the election itself becomes superfluous," the statement said.

Buhari is seeking a second term as president in next month's elections, but his party has been accused of vote-buying by political opponents.

As the country's top judge, Onnoghen would have ruled on any legal challenge to the election.

That potential responsibility would now fall to Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, whom Buhari swore in as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) following his suspension of Onnoghen.


But many Nigerians have used social media to criticize Onnoghen's ousting, calling Buhari a tyrant and saying it's the President who should go.

They have been joined by numerous politicians from opposition parties, who have launched a cascade of condemnation against Buhari and urged him to reverse the decision.

"President Buhari has sent a dangerous signal to the entire world that Nigeria is no longer a democratic nation and that we have returned to the old, jaded era of military dictatorship," Senate President Bukola Saraki said in a statement, adding that he has "precipitated a constitutional crisis."

'Brazen dictatorial act'
Chief Justice Onnoghen was charged on 12 January with breaching a rule that public officials disclose foreign bank accounts.

He had secured a temporary injunction to his hearing on Thursday, which seemingly prompted Buhari's move.

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/01/26/africa/buhari-nigeria-judge-elections-intl/index.html

Osinbajo is a disgrace, being part of all this makes home even more of a coward

jcmaiah:
Osinbajo is a disgrace, being part of all this makes home even more of a coward

They are busy campaigningng to win an election they may not rule if this anarchy continues. CNN is making a news of it.

Those who foisted this tyrant and lifeless president on us in 2015 should correct their mistakes by voting him out next month. He has succeeded in destroying our nascent democracy with his autocratic principles

mbaboy:
Those who foisted this tyrant and lifeless president on us in 2015 should correct their mistakes by voting him out next month. He has succeeded in destroying our nascent democracy with his autocratic principles

Will our votes count the way this people are behaving.