News
‘CJN’s Suspension Weeks To Polls, Abuse, Utter Disregard For Constitution’
A group championing the cause of good governance, Wake Up Nigeria (WUN), has described the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari, three weeks to the general elections as abuse of office and utter disregard to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that brought him to power in 2015.
The group made this declaration in a statement issued by its Chairperson, Maryam Yusuf, a copy which was made available to newsmen, yesterday.
Yusuf, in the statement, argued that the Constitution which is the ground norm for all actions and inactions of public office holders, including the President, has not only been jettisoned but cruelly slaughtered, murdered with the suspension of the CJN.
The group called on the National Assembly, which is the only surviving arm of government, to prevail on the President to rescind his decision.
She said, “The recent suspension of the CJN, Hon Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Buhari, three weeks to the general elections, is the zenith of abuse and utter disregard to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that brought him to power in 2015.
“It is a fact beyond contradiction that those whom the gods want to destroy, they first make mad, and this timeless axiom summarizes the miserable state of the self-acclaimed gatekeeper of our dear nation.
“The Constitution which is the ground norm for all actions and inactions of public office holders including the President, has not only been jettisoned; but cruelly slaughtered, murdered and the carcasses left to the demented disciples of the next level fallacy to consume while the nation hangs on the edge of precipice.
“The impending doom that this constitutional impasse is likely to throw our dear country into is what the apologists of the truncation of democratic norms and practices cannot fathom let alone imagine its destructive pangs on the pillars that hold the Nigerian nation.
“The President has taken the dance too far and nothing short of the demise of his infamous and ignoble reign of terror on democracy can save our dear nation from eclipsing into limbo with the deleterious effects ravaging her soul in a horrific and horrendous carnage.
“For the president to choose which court order to obey and which one to disobey reveals in crystalline vista, his despotic and totalitarian genetic make-up which he can only strive in vain to convince us to the contrary.
“The international community has responded in stern language without mincing words to this illegality and uncouth desperation to hold onto power by all means by the APC led government.
“We at ‘Wake Up Nigeria’ are calling on the National Assembly which is the only surviving arm of government to stop the monster before his monstrous ilk consumes us all.
The group also appealed to the NBA, NJC and other organisations to rise in defence of the nation’s democracy and judiciary.
“We also appeal to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), National Judicial Council (NJC), Civil society Organizations (CSOs), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other critical stakeholders nationally and internationally to rise to the occasion and pressure Buhari to reverse course to save the nation from anarchy and disintegration.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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