Home NEWS Fighting Corruption Crucial To Good Governance, But suspending Onnoghen’s Wrong – Atiku

Fighting Corruption Crucial To Good Governance, But suspending Onnoghen’s Wrong – Atiku

Atiku Abubakar

Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has admitted that the fight against corruption is crucial to good governance and progress of the country, but that the suspension of the Chief Judge of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen was wrong.

In a statement by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, Atiku said: “without doubt, the fight against corruption is crucial to good governance and the progress of our country. In this context, the issue of corruption as it relates to the institution of the judiciary is even more crucial. As the last refuge of the common man, our judiciary must not only be above suspicion but must also be seen to be manifestly above board.  The issue at stake is not whether the Chief Justice is guilty or not, but whether his removal from office has been done in accordance with the process specified in our constitution.”

Atiku added: “as a democrat, I must say, without equivocation, that no mission or goal, no matter how noble or well intended, should be used as a pretext for the subversion of our democracy and our democratic institutions. To create a condition that allows the constitution and the rule of law to become secondary to any other agenda is to pave the way for tyranny. History is replete with odious dictators whose path to dictatorship started with statements of good intentions. We must therefore remain vigilant in defense of our democracy.”

The PDP flag bearer said that Nigeria had witnessed situation where the present federal government has serially assaulted the National Assembly, a separate arm of government that represents the bastion of our democracy.

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He said that with this attack on the judiciary, President Muhammadu Buhari has set a new precedent in the nation’s democracy that has no equivalence in its history, not even in the darkest days of military dictatorship, saying: “this cannot be allowed to stand.

“At this juncture, I must warn the APC government to desist from taking actions that may push us further down the slippery slope towards a major constitutional crisis that could derail the electoral process. General Muhammadu Buhari must remember that he is a beneficiary of a free and fair election. It is therefore a matter of honour for him to allow a political environment and process that gives confidence to everyone.

“All my life, I have been a democrat and a defender of democracy. Like all men of good conscience and patriots, I believe this present challenge has imposed on us yet again, the duty to rise in peaceful defense of democracy, for which so many have laid down their lives.  I also know that the surest weapon against tyranny is the democratic will of the people. Nigerians have consistently demonstrated their preference for democracy, and I am, and will always remain, on the side of the people of Nigeria.”

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