PFN/CRM Condemns Plot to Remove CJN, Describing it as Political …Urges INEC to Show Neutrality by Removing Amina Zakari

The National Action/Pastoral Committee of the Charismatic Renewal Ministries (CRM) on Wednesday condemned the alleged plot by the federal government to remove the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, on flimsy charges, describing it as a political decor to rig the forthcoming general election, even as it stated that the timing of the charges is wrong.

In a two-page statement read by the General Overseer of CRM, Pastor Cosmas Ilechukwu, at the end of a three-day CRM National Annual Retreat at the church headquarters in Owerri, Imo State, the group also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the position of an unbiased umpire by words and actions as well as listen to the cry of concerned Nigerians as it concerns the position given to one of its staff, Mrs. Amina Zakari.

Ilechukwu, who is also the Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Southeast, stated that the ‘indecent’ haste with which the petition and subsequent arraignment of Onnoghen were conducted appeared to point to some political undertone, adding: “This action is capable of intimidating the judiciary, which is not only the last hope of the common man but also has a crucial role to play in safeguarding our fragile democracy.

“While we are not dabbling into the substance of the case against Onnoghen, the meeting condemns the timing of the exercise. It is difficult not to impute political motives into it.”

He enjoined every Nigerian to exercise his or her civil right to choose the leaders that would transform the country in the forthcoming general election, reminding INEC and security agencies to discharge their duties honourably by resisting every temptation to be compromised.

According to him, “INEC should maintain the position of an unbiased umpire. It should do so not just in words, it should be seen to be doing so by action. This is why the outcry against the position given to one of its top officials, Amina Zakari, who is said to be related to President Mohammadu Buhari, also a candidate in the election, should be handled with every sense of responsibility. The debate of whether she is a niece or not does not arise here since there is an established close relationship between them. INEC should do the needful, not just in this case but at all times to safeguard the integrity of the election.”

On war against the press and protection of fundamental human rights, the meeting expressed dismay on the attempt to intimidate the media and the opposition by government agencies, as evidenced in the recent closure of the offices of Daily Trust newspapers in Abuja, Maiduguri and Lagos by the Nigerian Army.

The church leadership cautioned government agencies to avoid unnecessary use of force, rather, to always follow due process in the discharge of their duties so as not to be seen as trampling on the fundamental human rights of citizens and residents.