‘The rule of law will win’ — and other reactions to Onnoghen’s suspension

President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), on Friday.
The president based his action on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

While Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the action, Senate President Bukola Saraki asked Nigerians to rise against it.

Here are some reactions of Nigerians from Twitter:

COUP AGAINST THE NIGERIAN JUDICIARY AND SUSPENSION OF THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION! pic.twitter.com/mHQkovtDiy

— Paul Usoro, SAN. (@PaulUsoroSAN) 25 January 2019

The Purported Suspension of CJN Onnoghen is an Act of Dictatorship Taken too Far. 

Read more: https://t.co/beyQ8GRu6d

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) 25 January 2019

The suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Onnoghen by President Buhari is an action capable of undermining the nation’s judiciary, subverting the Constitution, intimidating judges, and creating uncertainty in the electoral process.

— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) 25 January 2019

Coups always begin with Fellow Nigerians! Then proceeds to sacks and suspension of the rule of law! Exactly what you your speech here shows! The rule of law will win!! It will defeat you! https://t.co/5ksrJACUA6

— Iyke (@Iyke) 25 January 2019

1-I am not surprised at President @MBuhari’s suspension of CJN Onnoghen by and his swearing in Tanko Mohammed from Bauchi as the new CJN. It’s no coincidence that the suspension came the day Onnoghen was inaugurating the election tribunal. This is all about 2019! #TankoIsaUsurper

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) 25 January 2019

2-I completely and totally reject the suspension of CJN Onnoghen by the cabal. The trumped up corruption charges against Onnoghen are before the courts, who have so far ruled in Onnoghen’s favour. King Lear madness must be resisted by voters on February 16, 2019 #TankoIsaUsurper

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) 25 January 2019

Now we have a full blown Hitler in charge of our country, acting as if he is law unto himself. But Nigerians will remember that I warned!

— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) 25 January 2019

Nigeria can NEVER change without a fair justice system. 
We can’t have a fair justice system if the courts are hamstrung by allegations of corruption. 

The suspension of CJN Onnoghen, a strong move, strikes at the very heart of what ails Nigerian society.

I am in full support.

— Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin (@muyiwag) 25 January 2019

The time for Onnoghen to act is now! 

First step: Suspend Ibrahim Tanko, Shutdown the Court, and go on Strike.

— REM. (@martinsalive) 25 January 2019

The suspension of CJN Onnoghen is illegal. Period. Any pretender allowing President @MBuhari and his cabal to deceive him into believing that he‘s the new CJN will soon be undeceived. It‘s the cabal’s coup to stop Onnoghen constituting Election Petition Tribunals #TankoIsaUsurper

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) 25 January 2019

Time to defend that which we achieved with our blood. Buhari illegally suspends Onnoghen and swears in Tanko his kin.

— Mazi Chima Amadi Ph.D (@AMADICHIMA) 25 January 2019

The appointment of Justice Ibrahim Tanko, a Sharia Judge as Chief Justice of Nigeria and the composition of security chiefs which are predominantly Muslims is a testament of Buhari’s agenda to Islamize Nigeria.

— Shalom Miriam Shehu (@MiriamShehu) 25 January 2019

This country is like, actually finished. A president suspending the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Get your fucking visa.

— Chidi Okereke (@Chydee) 25 January 2019

The authority of the Chief Justice of Nigeria is derived from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not the actions or inactions of Mr. President.

— Kingsley Omose (@OmoseKingsley) 25 January 2019

I'm not surprised that some nitwits are defending the unlawful removal of the chief Justice of Nigeria Onnoghen by the chief Tyrant. if Buhari kills Olusegun or Ayourb's children, they will blame their children for wandering around. This level of sycophancy is unprecedented

— Remi (@Ceorhemz) 25 January 2019

The President can only remove the Chief Justice of Nigeria if (1) two thirds of the Senate votes for his removal (2) the National Judicial Council recommends his removal. 

Buhari has no direct power to remove the #CJN

THIS IS A COUP!!!

— Don Willy (@willyfatherhero) 25 January 2019

What exactly is PDP's interest in keeping a self confessed law breaker on as the Chief justice of Nigeria?

— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) 25 January 2019

Where is @ProfOsinbajo , the Prof of Law, in all of this CJN Walter Onnoghen, Chief Justice of Nigeria matter?

Hmmmmmmmm... Make we remember wetin Esther told Mordecai o.

It's a sad day for Democracy in #Nigeria#NigeriaDecides2019#Elections2019#CJNtrial

— Alwayshappy (@Alwaysh26085648) 25 January 2019

CJN Walter Onnoghen was due to swear in members of the 2019 Election Petition Tribunals tomorrow and Buhari doesn't want this to happen so he can flood the tribunal with Buharists to give judgment in favor of the APC in the general election.

Buhari is a tyrant!!#BuhariMustGo

— May Ubeku (@Maybeks) 25 January 2019

So the ORDER of code of conduct tribunal is SUPERIOR to COURT of Appeal. Yes Onnoghen could have committed infractions as Chief Justice of Nigeria but where are the Powers to Suspend? It is sad that Mohammed made himself available to be USED as a Usurper #TyrantBuhari

— kenny Okolugbo (@kennyokolugbo) 25 January 2019

Your MCM Buhari just changed the Chief Justice of Nigeria Onnoghen like someone that's changing Sim Card from sim 1 to Sim 2.
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The fact that Buhari still has supporters shows that if some people ever get back into the Garden of Eden, they will still eat the forbidden fruit 😪

— The Kingmaker🦅 (@SmithVinci) 25 January 2019

It is really a shame on Onnoghen waiting thus far to be suspended by the president. Why was it difficult for him to do the needful when it lasted? He really make a mess of his education and position.

— Omo Eyero (@OmoEyero) 25 January 2019

President Buhari has NO RIGHT and no power under the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 is very explicit on how to remove the CJN in Section 292(1)(a)(i). https://t.co/B6A2cqo3wI

— Oluwole Onemola (@OluwoleOnemola) 25 January 2019

If witnessed the Osun State re-run election, you won’t be surprised by the suspension of Onnoghen. The APC and Buhari will go to any length to retain power beyond 2019.

— Abe Akam (@ab_akam) 25 January 2019

Buhari has no power to REMOVE the CJN!

What Buhari has done is an illegality!#Onnoghenremains the CJN!

There is effectively a coup d'etat in Nigeria.

— friarsomadina (@friarsomadina) 25 January 2019

I expect Onnogen to give a press release to declare the act of the President as illegal and unconstitutional, also refuse to abdicate the seat of Chief Justice of Nigeria. Then he should wait for Buhari to arrest him.#Nigeria#ThisIsNigeriaRefix#TheBuhariEffect#tyrantbuhari

— AyeMojuba 🇳🇬 (@areogunboy) 25 January 2019