Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed disapproval over the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, warning that such actions could harm Nigeria’s global reputation.
Speaking as the Chairman of the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan said he was deeply concerned about the removal of elected leaders.
“These decisions by major players in the executive and legislative arms of government do not reflect well on the country,” he said.
His reaction follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
The federal government justified the move as a measure to restore political stability amid an ongoing power struggle between the governor and lawmakers.
“By this order, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are suspended for an initial period of six months,” Tinubu stated.
To oversee governance during the emergency period, the president appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator.
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“In the interim, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) will serve as Administrator to manage the state’s affairs in the best interest of its people. However, this declaration does not affect the judiciary, which will continue its duties as mandated by the Constitution,” Tinubu clarified.
Jonathan acknowledged that former presidents rarely comment on political conflicts to avoid escalating tensions. However, he emphasised that Nigeria’s attractiveness to investors is tied to the actions of its executive, legislature, and judiciary.
According to him, many Nigerians had urged him to speak out on the crisis, especially given his strong ties to the Niger Delta region.
He also raised concerns about political interference in the judiciary, stating that when a single individual dictates judicial decisions, it erodes public trust in the justice system.
Defending his decision, Tinubu referenced Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, stating that the emergency measure was essential to maintaining peace.
“This proclamation has been published in the Federal Gazette and submitted to the National Assembly, in accordance with constitutional requirements,” he added.
READ ALSO: Rivers State of Emergency: Unconstitutional, reckless, says Peter Obi
He expressed hope that the intervention would bring an end to the political crisis, urging all involved parties to respect constitutional boundaries and work towards a peaceful resolution.
