Opposition parties on the platform of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) on Saturday hailed the positions of the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union on President Muhammadu Buhari’s suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The opposition parties also called on the international community to take actions against the President and officials of his government until he reverses the decision.
On Saturday, the US, UK and EU expressed concerns that the action of the President might affect the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
Reacting to the development in a statement, CUPP Spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, said such sanctions should include travel bans on key officials including the newly swirm in Acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammed.
Since President Buhari’s decision to suspend Onnoghen and appoint Mohammed as acting CJN, there have been outbursts within and outside the country.
Political observers have questioned the timing of the action, coming just three weeks to the 2019 General Election, even as they lamented that the Buhari administration failed to comply with Section 292 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in handling the matter.
The section stipulates that a judicial officer can be removed by either the Senate or National Judicial Council (NJC)
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
