Governors from South-South under the aegis of South-South Governors forum have urged the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen not to resign and to ignore the Court of Conduct Tribunal arraignment, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has no regard for the sentiment of the zone.
The emergency meeting of five out of six governors of the states of the South South geopolitical zone, held at the Bayelsa State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja on Sunday started at around 3pm and lasted till 7:45 pm.
Chairman of the Forum and governor of Bayelsa state, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson who read the communiqué disclosed that the group resolved that, the action against Chief Justice Onnoghen constitutes a setback to the gains of the nation’s democratic experience of 20 years.
He said, “We note that under Section 158(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Judicial Council, has ample powers to deal exhaustively with matters pertaining to allegations of misconduct and discipline of Judicial officers.
Specifically, the NJC has the powers and clear procedures for investigating allegations, and recommending appropriate sanctions or disciplinary measures against judicial officials as a matter of first instance before any further steps.”
Citing some instances, Dickson noted that, ” the judicial pronouncements in the cases of FGN Vs Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court (January 9, 2018) and Justice Ngajinwa Vs FGN 2017 at the CCT have given validation to the express provisions of the constitution on this issue.
The South South governors forum also cautioned that, “the attempt to drag the CJN to the CCT is also a grave and dangerous escalation of the assault on institutions of state including the National Assembly and the judiciary. We believe that the President, Muhammadu Buhari has a constitutional responsibility and huge moral obligation to defend our democracy.
Lamenting the ordeal the zone had allegedly suffered, they concluded that the step “is directly aimed at humiliating the nation’s highest judicial officer and a prominent son of the region, as totally unacceptable as it is reflective of the South South story of endless marginalization and intimidation. The unceremonious removal of former Acting Director General of the Department of State Service, Mathew Seiyefa and his replacement is still very fresh.
They added that, “We note that the unfortunate action against the CJN further reinforces the perception that the Buhari administration has no regard for the sentiments of Nigerians, in particular the people of Niger Delta, and the rule of law. It is a fact that this administration has a penchant for flagrant disobedience of and disregard for legitimate and valid court orders.
The Communiqué as read by Dickson also noted that, ” we expect President Buhari to know that democracy cannot survive without respect for the constitution, strict adherence to the rule of law, and separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution.
“We strongly believe that the regrettable development at the Supreme Court at this critical time, when preparations for the general elections are wobbling (with serious concern about INEC and security agencies) is capable of causing avoidable anxiety, tension and possible breakdown of law and order in the country.
“We note further that the action undermines confidence not only in the judiciary but also the electoral process that has already commenced, in view of the pivotal role that the judiciary plays in the process of electoral adjudication.
“We affirm President Buhari should know that the continuous assault on critical institutions of state is a defining feature of a dictatorship, and that the President is obliged to live up to his word that he is a born-again democrat, as he assured Nigerians in 2015.
They therefore charged the President to “condemn without any equivocation, this assault on the CJN and the judiciary especially coming after similar assaults on the National Assembly, to save the country from this embarrassment and global contempt.
The forum also called on the CJN “to ignore this so-called Court summon from the CCB and the provocative call for his resignation in some quarters. While we are not opposed to a genuine fight against corruption, such an action must always be anchored on the rule of law.”
The forum also decried the alleged “massive build-up of arms by APC leaders and members across the Niger Delta with the intent to cause mayhem and a general breakdown of law and order during the elections.
Aside Bayelsa state governor, other governors in attendance include: Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State.
