Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, warning that it harms Nigeria’s democratic image. He criticized President Bola Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration, cautioning that executive overreach could undermine public trust in institutions. Analysts remain divided as calls for democratic resolution grow.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has criticized the recent suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, warning that the move could tarnish the country’s democratic reputation.
Speaking at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja, Jonathan expressed disappointment over President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency and suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly. The move, he argued, projects Nigeria in a negative light.
“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” Jonathan stated, stressing that Nigeria’s global image and economic attractiveness depend on adherence to democratic principles.
Tinubu’s emergency declaration cited political instability, security concerns, and a constitutional crisis within the Rivers State government. The President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as interim administrator while assuring that the judiciary remains unaffected.
Jonathan, however, warned that overriding democratic processes through executive orders could erode confidence in Nigeria’s institutions. He noted that while former leaders typically refrain from public political commentary, he felt compelled to speak out due to concerns raised by Nigerians, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
Legal experts and political analysts have expressed mixed reactions, with some defending Tinubu’s decision as a necessary intervention, while others view it as a dangerous precedent that could be exploited in future political disputes.
As the situation unfolds, calls for a democratic resolution continue, with many urging the federal government to work towards de-escalation and institutional reforms to prevent similar crises.
