…Blasts US, EU for ‘meddling’ in Nigeria’s polity
By Ann Azukaego, Asaba
All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA has thrown its weight behind the re-election of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for another tenure in Delta State in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice.
The National Chairman of APGA, Dr Victor Oye stated this at Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South local government area while flagging off campaign and presentation of flags to Hon Angela Nwaka as the party’s candidate for the Aniocha South Constituency in the 2nd March 2019 Delta State House of Assembly election.
The flag off event witnessed a crowd drawn from the various units and wards in Aniocha South local government area and other parts of the state with various supports groups, party leaders, youths and women.
The APGA National Chairman, represented by the National Vice Chairman, South South, Chief Tony Ebuka said the good work and leadership qualities of Governor Okowa was clearly evident in all parts of the state, hence the support of the party for his re-election.
By Marcus Fatunmole (Abuja)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday said “penchant for anything corrupt and criminal” was the reason opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) condemned last weekend suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari.
APC said the suspended chief justice was not entitled to any special treatment upon being accused of criminal activities, and that any special treatment sought by the opposition party and its candidate for the February 16 presidential election is not in tandem with the APC’s objective of fighting corruption and its change agenda.
In a statement signed by its National publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, and made available to Kaftan Post, the party said the PDP was angry over the suspension because its alleged plan to use the suspended judge as instrument for buying justice after the coming election had failed.
The APC particularly accused Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, of leading the campaign for justice-buying through Onnoghen after the poll. The party repeatedly said it would trounce the PDP at the poll.
It argued that given its achievements in the past three-and-a-half years, and support it had garnered at its campaigns, it was clear it would overwhelmingly defeat the PDP.
Meanwhile, the ruling party slammed international community that has expressed deep concerns over the manner the chief justice was suspended by President Buhari on Friday 25, January over his failure to fully declare his assets before assuming office as the head of the nation’s judiciary.
The European Union, US government and other leading global institutions have condemned the president’s action.
Part of APC release reads: “In recent weeks Nigerians have been inundated with reports regarding self-confessed discrepancies in the asset declaration made by erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. So acting on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday took the decisive action of suspending Onnoghen.
“The strident opposition to Justice Onnoghen’s suspension coming from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by its presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar again points to their penchant for anything corrupt and criminal.
“We must ask ourselves these questions, why was Justice Onnoghen suspended? What are the charges against him? It is on the basis of this, we had expected the PDP, Atiku and their agents to assess the President’s action.
“Justice Onnoghen was accused of non declaration of assets — a requirement by law for every public officer. While under investigations, other transactions have been traced to Justice Onnoghen’s personal accounts, all undeclared as required by law. Justice Onnoghen has personally admitted to this in writing claiming that he made a ‘mistake’ and ‘forgot’ to declare his assets.
“In the spirit of good conscience, integrity, character and general conduct expected of occupants of public office, we are of the strong position that Justice Onnoghen should have resigned immediately to face his trial after his confession and spare the Judiciary further disrepute. Justice Onnoghen did not. This in itself smells mischief.
“Justice Onnoghen fought to keep himself as CJN by all means possible, thereby fighting the same constitution that he swore to protect. It is important to remind the PDP and Atiku that Justice Onnoghen is not entitled to special treatment. Such entitlement being canvassed by the PDP and Atiku is alien to our laws and not in tandem with our cardinal objective of fighting against corruption and indeed our overall Change Agenda.
“Why are the PDP and Atiku worried? We have read the PDP and Atiku’s responses to the President’s action with shock albeit with a feeling of vindication. Their responses portray the Nigeria they wish for.
