The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, says the decision of Justice Tanko Muhammad to vacate office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria is commendable.
Atiku in a statement on Monday via his official Facebook page, wished the Justice Tanko well even as he commended the former Chief Justice for his action and service to the nation.
The former Vice President went on to wish the newly sworn-in Acting CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariowoola, success as he steps in to fill the gap.
Atiku assured the new acting CJN of his commitment to advancing the frontiers of judicial independence and the promotion of separation of powers as the bedrock of deepening democracy and development.
Earlier, Channels had reported that Justice Tanko resigned his position on Monday over some undisclosed health issues.
President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently, swore in Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Following his resignation, Buhari bestowed the nation’s second highest national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on outgoing Chief Justice.
In a note on Monday, the President said history will be kind to the departing Justice for his modest contributions to Nigeria’s Judiciary, the strengthening of our democracy and national development.