Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka have expressed strong disapproval of the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State.
Jonathan warned that the decision could damage Nigeria’s reputation, while Soyinka argued that it was inconsistent with the principles of federalism.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing governance breakdown due to the conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara
and the state legislature, along with security threats affecting oil installations. Following this, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly members. Retired Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ette Ibas was subsequently sworn in as the state’s sole administrator.
The president’s action was justified under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the National Assembly ratified the emergency rule two days later, though some legislators opposed it.
Jonathan and Soyinka Speak Out
At an event in Abuja, Jonathan criticized the move, calling it an abuse of power by all three arms of government. He lamented that key institutions were failing to uphold democratic principles, emphasizing that such actions tarnish Nigeria’s image and investment prospects.
Jonathan noted that while former leaders typically avoid commenting on ongoing political matters, he felt compelled to speak due to his ties to the Niger Delta and the widespread calls for his intervention.
Meanwhile, Soyinka, in an interview with an international news outlet, maintained that the declaration of emergency violated the federal structure of Nigeria. He argued that the constitution centralizes excessive power in the presidency and called for urgent constitutional reforms.
“The current system is not suitable for a diverse country like Nigeria,” he said, advocating for a national dialogue to restructure governance.
Presidency Responds
Reacting to their criticism, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, dismissed their statements as personal opinions. He reaffirmed that Tinubu acted within constitutional limits to prevent Rivers State from descending into chaos.
“The Supreme Court ruled that Rivers State has no functioning government as recognized by the constitution. President Tinubu is committed to protecting and preserving Nigeria’s unity,” Ajayi stated.
Activists Demand Reversal
Human rights activists, including Aisha Yesufu, have called for the reinstatement of Governor Fubara and his deputy. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the group criticized the National Assembly for approving the emergency rule, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent.
Yesufu warned that allowing the decision to stand could encourage future abuses of executive power and undermine democracy in Nigeria.
