Why APC wants to forcefully remove CJN Onnoghen - PDP

- The PDP accuses the APC of planning to replace CJN Walter Onnoghen with a more loyal chief justice in order to compromise the general elections

- Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP spokesperson, claims the APC-led federal government plans to curtail freedom of expression and silence opposition members

- Ologbondiyan warns that the current happenings in Nigeria could plunge the country into anarchy if allowed to continue

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) wants the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, replaced by another CJN to pave the way for rigging of the general elections.

The party’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on Tuesday, January 15, claimed the APC was intending to appoint a CJN that would be used to curtail freedom of expression and silence opposition members, Channels TV reports.

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“We are all witnesses to the unrelenting assault on the institution of the judiciary and the courts by the ] Buhari Presidency as well as the APC,”Ologbondiyan said.

“This ignoble act is with the view to replace Justice Onnoghen with a pliable CJN that will execute its plot to annex the court and use them to curtail freedom of expression and to silence opposition members as well as perceived opponents of the Buhari administration ahead of the February election.”

The PDP spokesperson accused the federal government of attempting to stifle the judiciary and erode freedom of speech in the country.

He warned that the current happenings in Nigeria could plunge the country into anarchy if allowed to continue.

"This siege on the judiciary has now come to a climax with the widely condemned attempt by the Buhari Presidency and the APC to forcefully remove the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen,” Ologbondiyan alleged.

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“With the prevailing state of our polity; the flagrant violation of our Constitution, continuous attacks on institutions of democracy and principle of separation of powers, consistent abuse of human rights, like the locking up of the opposition members, it is clear and manifestly clear that our nation is on a rapid descent into fascism, which we must all resist with our votes.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has reportedly dismissed reports claiming that his residence was on Tuesday, January 15, invaded by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to Vanguard, the senior special adviser to the CJN on media, Awassam Bassey, described the alleged invasion as false news.

The 'false news' of the EFCC invasion was linked to a Twitter post that originated from the former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Fani-Kayode had in the said post, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately call off EFCC from Onnoghen’s residence.

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Source: Legit.ng