Opposition political parties have described President Muhammadu Buhari’s suspension of CJN as a judicial coup that must be resisted by all lovers of democracy.

First national spokesman of Coalition of United Political Parties, Mr Imo Ugochinyere, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.

Ugochinyere said Buhari had by his action overthrown constitutional order.

He, therefore, called on Senate to begin the process of removing the President from office.

He also called on lawyers and others to begin to boycott courts in protest against Onnoghen’s suspension.

The statement reads, “Buhari has finally overthrown constitutional governance. This factionalisation of the judiciary will not stand. As far as the law of the land is concerned, Onnoghen remains CJN. We will not recognise any other person who may be occupying that office illegally. Mr Tanko Muhammed is an usurper. NJC must sack him. Lawyers must ignore him as long as he remains on that seat.

“Onnoghen’s illegal removal was aimed at stopping the swearing-in of members of 2019 General Elections petition tribunal.

“We have been vindicated on our earlier alarm that Buhari wants to appoint pro-APC CJN to help use the judiciary to affirm APC candidates in the 2019 pre and post election litigation.”

It also reads, “We hereby call on lawyers, judges and judicial staff to down tool immediately. This is the last battle and it must be won. NBA should immediately call out all lawyers. All courts must be shut now while nationwide protest against this impunity should also commence.

“CJN must remain in office and disregard this announcement as the President has no power to suspend him.

“The Senate should reconvene now and start impeachment process against the President for acting against the provision of the Constitution he swore to uphold.”

Punch