US, UK, EU POSITION ON ONNOGHEN SIGNIFIES ALLIANCE WITH OPPOSITION SAYS FG

From right: Chief Observer, European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2019, Maria Arena; Head of Delegation, European Union Delegation to the Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States, Ketil Karlsen and other Delegation during their visit to INEC on 2019 general election held at the Commission in Abuja. 21 Jan 2019. Photo: Felix Onigbinde

The federal government said it is deeply concerned over statements made by United States, United Kingdom and European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) regarding the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The U.S, U.K and EU EOM had, in a separate statements last weekend, questioned the suspension of CJN Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement yesterday, said those statements demonstrate serious and unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria.

“The various statements, especially of those referred to above, appear prejudicial and signify alignment with the opposition and endorsement of its position that the ruling party, and by extension the Federal Government of Nigeria, is working on rigging the forthcoming elections in Nigeria,” said the statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, George Edokpa.

“These statements also portend tolerance for corrupt acts and downplay the anticorruption crusade of the Buhari Administration, knowing fully that the suspended CJN had not denied the charges against him and that probity requires of him to step aside while the case is under scrutiny,” he said.

He said President Buhari had consistently demonstrated respect for the rule of law, saying it was absurd to presume that the suspension of the CJN is geared towards rigging the forthcoming elections in favour of the ruli