Nigerian election thrown into chaos as Buhari suspends country's top judge

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.

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.

"One expected that with his moral authority so wounded, by these serious charges of corruption, more so by his own written admission, Mr. Justice Onnoghen would have acted swiftly to spare our Judicial Arm further disrepute by removing himself from superintending over it while his trial lasted," the President wrote on Twitter.


"Unfortunately, he has not done so," he wrote, adding: "If Justice cannot be done and clearly seen to be done, society itself is at risk of the most unimaginable chaos."

But the President's critics argued that due process had not been afforded to Onnoghen, and painted Buhari's move as a flagrant attempt to influence the outcome of the upcoming vote.

"This brazen dictatorial act is the latest action in the ongoing rape of our nation's hard earned democracy," PDP challenger and former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar wrote on Twitter.

"The case involving the legality or otherwise of the charges against Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen is in court, as it should be," he added. "Why not allow the court to adjudicate on the matter?"


The European Union (UN), which had been asked to observe the elections by the National Electoral Commission, said it was "very concerned" by the judge's suspension.

"The decision to suspend the Chief Justice has led to many Nigerians, including lawyers and civil society observer groups, to question whether due process was followed," a spokeswoman for the EU's Election Observation Mission said in a statement.

"The timing, just before the swearing in of justices for Electoral Tribunals and the hearing of election-related cases, has also raised concerns about the opportunity for electoral justice," she added.

Next month's election is seen by many as a two-horse race between Buhari and Abubakar.

But Bring Back our Girls activist Oby Ezekwesili, who withdrew her candidacy on Thursday, promised to build a coalition capable of defeating both parties in order to "disrupt the politics of failure" in Africa's most populous nation.


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

Fake news
It’s never too late....

To tell you....

you’re going to Hell.

Only Atiku, Wike and everyone that paid money to the former CJN that are in confusion.

Nigerians are united on defeating the corruption that wants to return to power.

It is Buhari all the way.

The fg just played into obj hands

Hmmmmmm

Something just told me that Buhari wasn't aware of what he has done and the magnitude.

The cabal are just using him as tool to carry out this sh¡t.

Buhari hardly remembers and recognizes things shown to him

Buhari has ridiculed this country in the face of the world

It is suspicious of Onnoghen, a chief justice to feign ignorance of the law. I mean, 55 houses and millions of dollars undeclared? I am pushed to call him corrupt.


But breaching the Constitution? Foolish but bold move....
Foolishness plus boldness is a very deadly combination. If nothing is done about this act, it means buhari has absolute powers in this Nigerian territory which is dangerous to Nigerians. Buhari can be foolish enough to cause a civil war and be bold enough to wipe out the entire South.

I'm surprised that Nigerians have not taken to the streets to show their anger and disgust.

Which way Southern Nigeria?

Buhari would be so surprised at the dimension this would take...This is not '83. This is 2019..

It is well with Nigeria

I am manifestly appalled by the selective swiftness in dealing with this case of corruption when placed side by side with others that have been ignored or deliberately stalled to protect members of the ruling party. What this, and the strategic appointment of Waziri as INEC's head of collation, given her alleged filial connection with the president as well as the hurricane implementation of the Trader moni tells me is a covert attempt at rigging.

Given the fact that I struggle to maintain my family and having lost a sister to sickness got from wrongful imprisonment from justice-for-sale, I can in no way sides with Onnoghen. I only have a problem with the suspect timing, the morality of the president's action and the grounds which this action prepares for further absolute exercise of presidential powers.

The PDP has done well to suspend further presidential campaign rallies, but it must be prepared to provide leadership post-feb 16 when the mandate may be finally stolen. To this end, I would refer Atiku to study what Marc Ravalomanana did in Madagascar given almost identical situations.

It has to be stated that I made sacrifices to vote PMB in 2011 and 2015 even when he had 2 and 5 votes respectively in my polling unit. But this time around, given the fact that he spent over 1 yr (cumulatively) out of 3 yrs in the hospital; insanely nepotistic with strategic appointments; doesn't bother with a reshuffle to weed out non-performing minsters; performed abysmally in counter-insurgency and seems not to be in control of his government, I make another sacrifice to go back to express my dissent.

Insha Allahu, overall all these crafty designs by PMB could disappoint just as Jonathan's in 2015. But, let the will of the majority of voters be done!

This should be on front-page. Seun and Lalasticlala take note. Thanks

Apc are playing their cards wrongly

The world is watching

They need to be smarter to rig this election.


Like for pdp

Share for apc

Buhari is a thief and a terrorist

Buhari will be disgraced like Mugabe whether Tinubu likes it or not..

As for Most of the South West...Well, God give them wisdom that have it; and those that are fools, let them use their talents

Nigerians should braze up for a roller-coaster ride...

THIS IS A FRAUDULENT WEBSITE BY IGBO PDP
NL MOD SHOULD TAKE NOTE THIS IS NOT CNN


THIS IS A FRAUDULENT WEBSITE BY IGBO PDP
NL MOD SHOULD TAKE NOTE THIS IS NOT CNN


THIS IS A FRAUDULENT WEBSITE BY IGBO PDP
NL MOD SHOULD TAKE NOTE THIS IS NOT CNN

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

Asshurbanipall:
Nigerian election thrown into chaos as Buhari suspends country's top judge
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/01/26/africa/buhari-nigeria-judge-elections-intl/index.html?__twitter_impression=true

there is no chaos ,if PDP like like they shd boycott it, it won't change anything

I still can't believe with all the nonsense happening in this government some bastard still want this dullard to go for second term.

Nigeria will NEVER be great!

this is serious o oh!

Na wao

NwaAmaikpe.....Where goes this man at a time like this??

My ppl, fish when go die, go die, no be who sabi pass they survive trouble waters, who shake table go follow loss, who die go die well. Make we prepare, the elections go mad

Wailing is too much. If PDP likes let them bring articles from Al Jazeera, CNN, BBC, Sky News, SABC, Radio Biafra, Washington Post, New York Times, it will not bring or make Onnoghen come back he's now news.

That is how country and society works in every decision of government people will make noise, shout at the end every every will come to terms with it and accept it.

A whole elected governor of Anambra state Chris Ngige was adopted by a federal government of OBJ heaven didn't fall.

Ayo Salami, and Lamido Sanusi was sacked by GEJ heaven didn't fall.

OBJ slaughtered a whole community Odi in Bayelsa heaven didn't fall.

OBJ slaughtered people again in Zaki Ibiam Benue state heaven didn't fall.

What makes PDP think that heaven will fall for the sack of Onnoghen by PMB for failing to declare his assets and corruption when majority of Nigerians are with PMB on this.

Just wait in the next few days the whole thing will graduate from CCT to EFCC when (NFIU) Nigeria Fraud Intelligence Unit finishes it's own investigation and hand over to EFCC then PDP will know that Onnoghen is in deep mess.

Buhari the nepotistic bastard.

Buhari knows that social media warriors will talk on social media.... But in reality they will still be on social media....

I am tired already.... Since nothing concrete can be done about the vegetable.... We can only whisper our discontent which means nothing to the status quo...


Buhari is like trump.... People who have no business being around power!!!