Onnoghen’s Suspension: Atiku Holds Press Conference, Accuses FG Of Breaching Constitution

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Monday held a World Press Conference on
the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of
Nigeria (CJN).

Speaking at the briefing which took place in Abuja, the former
Vice President described the action of the Federal Government as ‘a
breach of the Constitution’.

He also condemned Justice Onnoghen’s suspension and likened the
decision of the government to that of military dictatorship.

According to the PDP candidate, the issue at stake is not
whether what Justice Onnoghen did is right or wrong but whether it
is lawful for the government to act the way it did.

He maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari has set a new
record that was never recorded even during the dark days of the
military.

The former Vice President, therefore, warned the government
against taking further actions that were capable of destabilising
the nation’s democracy.

He also commended the international community for their stance
on the recent suspension of Justice Onnoghen.

Atiku further advised Nigerians across the country that the
responsibility to defend the nation’s democracy rests on their
shoulders.

The press briefing was attended by some leaders of the
opposition party, including the National Publicity Secretary of the
PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan.

Read Atiku’s full speech as released by his spokesman, Paul Ibe,
below;

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY ATIKU ABUBAKAR,
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) AT
THE SHEHU MUSA YAR’ADUA CENTRE, MONDAY, JANUARY 28TH,
2019.

Yet again, our dear country is passing through a difficult
moment. How we react to this challenge in the following days will
determine the fate of our democracy, which has been brought to
great peril by this needless crisis engineered by a government that
is unwilling to subject its conducts to the requirements of our
Constitution.

Meanwhile, I commend all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria
who have expressed outrage over the unlawful removal of the Chief
Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, an action, which
constitutes a flagrant breach of our constitution and a frontal
assault on our democracy.

I want to note the universal condemnation of this unlawful
act by all Nigerians, as well as the international
community.

I need to state that this latest action by General Muhammadu
Buhari falls squarely within the pattern of executive lawlessness
that has now been firmly turned into statecraft by the APC
government.

The serial disregard of court orders, and
consequent violation of constitutionally guaranteed human rights of
our citizens confirms beyond all doubt that General Buhari and his
government would rather obey their own whims and operate by
separate rules outside the well-established constitutional order
and the rule of law.

It scarcely requires emphasis that this behaviour
is alien to democratic rule and more in line with that of a
military dictator.

Without doubt, the fight against corruption is
crucial to good governance and the progress of our
country.

In this context, the issue of corruption as it relates to
the institution of the judiciary is even more crucial.

As the last refuge of the common man, our judiciary must not
only be above suspicion but must also be seen to be manifestly
above board.

The issue at stake is not whether the Chief Justice is
guilty or not, but whether his removal from office has been done in
accordance with the process specified in our constitution.

As a Democrat, I must say, without equivocation, that no
mission or goal, no matter how noble or well-intended, should be
used as a pretext for the subversion of our democracy and our
democratic institutions.

To create a condition that allows the constitution and the
rule of law to become secondary to any other agenda is to pave the
way for tyranny.

History is replete with odious dictators whose path to
dictatorship started with statements of good intentions. We must,
therefore, remain vigilant in defence of our
democracy.

We are all witnesses to how this government has serially
assaulted the National Assembly, a separate arm of government that
represents the bastion of our democracy.

However, with this attack on the judiciary, General Buhari
has set a new precedent in our democracy that has no equivalence in
our history, not even in the darkest days of military dictatorship.
This cannot be allowed to stand.

At this juncture, I must warn the APC government to desist
from taking actions that may push us further down the slippery
slope towards a major constitutional crisis that could derail the
electoral process.

General Muhammadu Buhari must remember that he is a
beneficiary of a free and fair election. It is, therefore, a matter
of honour for him to allow a political environment and
process that gives confidence to everyone.

All my life, I have been a democrat and a defender of
democracy. Like all men of good conscience and patriots, I believe
this present challenge has imposed on us yet again, the duty to
rise in peaceful defence of democracy, for which so many
have laid down their lives.

I also know that the surest weapon against tyranny is the
democratic will of the people. Nigerians have consistently
demonstrated their preference for democracy, and I am, and will
always remain, on the side of the people of Nigeria.

I conclude by expressing, once again, my gratitude to the
international community for standing by our country in this
challenging time.

However, the primary responsibility to resist tyranny and
protect democracy in Nigeria ultimately lies with
Nigerians.

It is on this note that I call on all Nigerians to seize the
opportunity of the coming general elections to vote in defence
of democracy and the rule of law.

We must vote out this anti-democratic government and restore
our country to the path of true democracy, which is the surest way
to ensure progress and prosperity for our people.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God bless you all.