Politics

Nigerians React As Buhari Removes Onnoghen, Appoints a Northern As New CJN

Published

6 years ago

January 25, 2019

Reactions have started trailing President Muhammadu Buhari’s suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Friday.
Buhari, who based his action on an order from the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), had consequently appointed the most senior Judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria after Onnoghen and who had been rumoured as the possible replacement of the embattled CJN if alleged plots to remove him scale through.

The newly sworn in CJN is Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed.

As expected, Nigerians have taken to micro-blogging website, Twitter, to express varied opinions to the news.

Below are some of the reactions:
I am not surprised about President Buhari ‘s suspension of the CJN Onnoghen. I am more surprised that Hon. Justice Tanko presented himself to be unlawfully sworn in as CJN. Democracy may be finally dead in Nigeria.

— Akanimo Ukpe, Esq. LLM. (@akviktor) January 25, 2019 

Chief Justice of Nigeria Onnoghen was going to inaugurate election tribunal on Sat 26th Jan 2019 and Buhari pre-empted him by suspending him on 25th based on order of CCT which is alien to our constitution. Senate majority and NJC is needed to effect the suspension. Power play!

— ThankGod Ukachukwu (@kcnaija)

January 25, 2019 

Billionaire Justice suspended!

President @MBuhari suspends the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen and appoints Mr. Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed as acting CJN.

— Okokobioko Master (@comradop)

January 25, 2019 

To be honest, this Chief Justice Onnoghen move seems more like an Osibajo move than a Buhari move.

Buhari that doesn’t know the difference between Senatorial and Gubernatorial positions can pull this off.

😪😪…Canada open thy doors..

— The Kingmaker🦅 (@SmithVinci)

January 25, 2019 

Without the recommendation of the NJC & two-third majority of the Senate as required by law,

President Buhari suspends Justice Walter Onnoghen as CJN, swears in Tanko Mohammed as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Q: How will this shape the outcome of the forthcoming elections?

pic.twitter.com/tljDU0ZtyI

— Port-Harcourt People (@AskPHPeople) January 25, 2019 

President Muhammadu Buhari Suspended the CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

I love this suspension, because GEJ started the experiment with former CBN Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, now Emir of Kano.

— Prince Oyeyemi (@Prince_4777)

January 25, 2019 

This is ultravires , @MBuhari has no constitutional power to suspend Chief Justin of Nigeria. This is unacceptable, an aberration and alien to a democratic system. Mohammed Buhari from Daura has just suspended Nigeria constitution for his own interest.

— Usman Okai Austin (@PDPNYF)

January 25, 2019 

Shocking : Buhari said he received a directive from the Code of Conduct CCT Tribunal to suspend Walter Onnoghen . CCT now regulates Judiciary in Nigeria.

— Usman Okai Austin (@PDPNYF)

January 25, 2019