Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka have voiced strong opposition to the recent suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, a move that has drawn significant attention and criticism across the nation.
Jonathan characterized the suspension as a development that could tarnish Nigeria’s reputation, while Soyinka argued that it undermines the principles of federalism. This reaction follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, citing a breakdown in governance amid escalating tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers, along with attacks on oil facilities.
In addition to suspending Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, along with members of the state House of Assembly, President Tinubu appointed retired Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s sole administrator. The President justified his actions by referencing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
The National Assembly swiftly approved the emergency rule within 48 hours, although some lawmakers expressed dissent. Various stakeholders, including governors from the Peoples Democratic Party, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and civil society organizations, have condemned the imposition of emergency rule.
Speaking at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja, Jonathan expressed his disappointment over the suspension of democratic governance in Rivers State. He emphasized that such actions reflect poorly on the country and hinder its image and investment potential. Jonathan criticized the three branches of government for their roles in the crisis, alleging widespread abuse of power.
He noted, “Key actors in Nigeria know the correct course of action but are choosing to ignore it. This is a clear abuse of power that spans the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.” Jonathan also highlighted the difficulty in maintaining public trust in the judiciary when decisions appear to be dictated by individuals rather than legal principles.
While Jonathan previously declared a state of emergency in three northeastern states in 2013 due to the Boko Haram insurgency, he clarified that democratic institutions were not suspended during that time.
Soyinka, in an interview with The Africa Report, asserted that the manner in which the emergency was declared contradicts the spirit of federalism. He criticized the concentration of power in the presidency as excessive and called for a national dialogue to amend the constitution, advocating for a system that better reflects Nigeria’s pluralistic society.
He stated, “This action is fundamentally against the federal spirit of association. We need to convene a national conference to establish a genuine people’s constitution.”
In response, Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, acknowledged the respect afforded to both Jonathan and Soyinka but emphasized that their views are personal opinions. He reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to maintaining national stability and governance, citing a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the government in Rivers State non-functional.
Ajayi concluded, “President Tinubu has a duty to preserve Nigeria’s integrity and will not allow any part of the country to descend into chaos.”
