Former President Goodluck Jonathan has voiced his disappointment over the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials, warning that the move tarnishes Nigeria’s reputation.
Speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan expressed concern over the political crisis rocking the state, emphasizing that such actions by key government players project the country negatively on the global stage.
“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” he said, adding that it is not in his nature to comment on national issues to avoid inflaming tensions. However, he revealed that numerous Nigerians had urged him to break his silence on the escalating crisis in Rivers.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) threw its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. The party’s National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, defended Tinubu’s move, stating that no responsible government would sit back and watch a volatile situation spiral out of control.
“President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria. He has access to intelligence reports that may not be available to the public,” Major told journalists.
He argued that the intervention was necessary to prevent the crisis from escalating further, adding that some leaders worsened the situation by failing to promote peace and instead fanning the flames of discord.
Jonathan, however, raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary, stressing that a system where an individual can dictate judicial decisions erodes public trust in the legal system.
According to him, a nation’s global perception and its ability to attract foreign investment largely depend on the integrity of its executive, legislative, and judicial institutions.
As tensions in Rivers continue to mount, Jonathan’s remarks add another layer of scrutiny to the crisis, raising questions about the future of governance and democracy in Nigeria.
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