While congratulating Justice Walter Onnoghen on his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate as the 14th substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC against interfering with other arms of government.
This was contained in a statement signed by Prince Dayo Adeyeye, which said the Principle of Seperation of Powers should be adhered to.
“The confirmation of Justice Onnoghen as the new CJN has renewed the confidence of Nigerians and members of the international community on the need to respect the Principle of Separation of Powers and the Independence of the Judiciary. The APC led Federal Government must henceforth stop interfering unnecessarily with the affairs of the other arms of government in the Country to allow our democracy to thrive.
“We thank the Acting President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for taking the appropriate constitutional and ethical measure by sending the name of Justice Onnoghen’s to the Senate for confirmation,” it stated.
The party said that the delay by the Executive to send the name of Justice Onnoghen to the Senate after his nomination by the National Judicial Council (NJC) was completely uncalled for and further exposed the planned gagging of other arms of government by the APC administration.
“We therefore commend all those who fought against what could have become another ethnic, religious and constitutional debacle in the appointment of a new CJN. Nigeria belongs to all of us and no individual or group of individuals in the Country should try to divide the Nation along ethnic or religious lines,” it warned.
PDP wished the new CJN well in office and urged him to implement all the reforms he intended to bring to bear in the Judiciary.
“The Judiciary remains the last arbiter in settling human disputes.”