Nigeria calls opposition's protest a face-saving move

World
Europe

The Nigerian government faulted the opposition's action of suspending its presidential election campaign, calling it a face-saving move because the party's campaign "died long ago."

The Nigerian opposition party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Saturday announced the suspension of its presidential campaign for three days to protest the suspension of the country's Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen for alleged breach of asset-declaration rules.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari swears in Tanko Mohammed as the acting Chief Justice in Abuja, Nigeria, January 25, 2019. /VCG Photo

Despite the protest, Onnoghen will remain suspended, pending final determination of the cases against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced.

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed claimed the PDP was crying more than the bereaved. "They are acting as if there is something between them and the suspended chief justice. Otherwise, we do not know why they will suspend the campaign that was long dead," Mohammed said.

He also questioned the intention of PDP's action, adding that the decision of PDP is a face-saving move because the party's campaign "died long ago."

A woman walks past posters of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in Makurdi, Benue state, Nigeria, January 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

On the public outcry against the suspension of Onnoghen, Mohammed said the critics ignored the real issues which concern corruption and the need to protect the judiciary.

The president acted legally by obeying the directive of a court of competent jurisdiction to suspend the chief justice, he stressed.

PDP Chairman Uche Secondus said the party's move was in solidarity with Nigerians in collective rejection of the assault against democratic order.

Earlier, the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar rejected the appointment of acting chief justice, calling on Onnoghen and the judiciary to resist with "every legal and constitutional means that they could muster," he said in a statement.

Nigeria: 'Reject foreign interference in the coming election'

The European Union, the U.S. and Britain have expressed concern at the removal of Onnoghen and "the credibility of the forthcoming elections."

Facing the concerns, Buhari said in a statement that it was determined to ensure free, fair and credible elections but would not allow foreign interference in the nation's affairs.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari attends a military parade marking the country's 58th anniversary of independence, on Eagle Square in Abuja, October 1, 2018. /VCG Photo

"The federal government welcomes the prevailing keen interest and partnerships for successful elections in and a peaceful Nigeria," said presidential spokesman Garba Shehu.

"However, we reject any interference or perception management that promotes apprehension, citizens distrust or undermines the transparency and acceptability of the outcomes of our electoral process," he said. "Nigeria reserves the right to be insulated from suggestions and or interference with respect to wholly internal affairs."

Onnoghen is accused of failing to declare foreign currency bank accounts, which in breach of rules governing public officials. He was head of the Supreme Court who would have ruled on any dispute in the coming general election on February 16.

(Cover: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari speaks during a joint press conference with the German chancellor at the presidency in Abuja, August 31, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency