The suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations of non declaration of assets while the matter is in court has continued to attract condemnation from many quarters in the country.
Lending their voice to the growing number of well meaning Nigerians a
who have condemned the action, Akwa Ibom Leaders Vanguard, a grouping of prominent sons and daughters of the state who share a common vision, said the suspension showed lack of recognition for the contribution of the south south region to the national treasury and the socio-economic significance of the zone to the country.
Speaking during a press conference in Uyo, the state capital, Anietie Okon, the leader of the group noted that some months ago, Mathew Seifa from Bayelsa State was robbed of the position of head of the Directorate of Secret Service as the most senior, experienced and most qualified officer for the post and was replaced by a retired officer from the North.
It therefore condemned in strong terms the “devious suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and called for the immediate withdrawal of the suspension.”
Nothing that the South South has been the hen that lays the golden eggs and should deserve more respect and consideration, the group demanded that the president should tender an apology to the CJN, the judiciary and the entire citizens of the country for the misdemeanor.
“That we reject in entirety the foistering of a Sharia court judge as the Chief Justice of Nigeria as the country is not an Islamic nation but secular and would remain so in religious matters,” Okon said.
It added that with other groups in the Niger Delta, they would resist the attempt at demeaning “our status and any disgraceful act on our sons henceforth.”
While calling on the President and his party to resist any temptation of rigging the forthcoming elections if they “want Nigeria to remain as one nation,” they thanked the international community for the interest they have shown in the events happening in the country, the group called on them to be more “proactive in seeing to a free and fair election in the country.”
ANiEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo
