Jonathan Condemns Rivers Crisis Handling, Accuses Government of Power Abuse
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticized the handling of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, accusing all three arms of government of misusing their authority.
The crisis escalated on March 18 when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political and security instability. The president also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state’s House of Assembly. The National Assembly later ratified this decision through a voice vote, solidifying the unprecedented move.
A Systemic Abuse of Power
Speaking on Saturday at the annual colloquium organized by the Haske Satumari Foundation in Abuja, Jonathan expressed concern over the actions of Nigeria’s executive, legislature, and judiciary in the unfolding crisis.
“As a former president and also from the Niger Delta, when the issue of suspending the governor of Rivers State arose, people called on me and former President Obasanjo to speak up,” Jonathan said.
“People expected us to say something about what was happening. However, traditionally, former presidents refrain from commenting on the actions of sitting presidents to avoid escalating tensions in the country.”
A Leadership Failing
Drawing on an Indian proverb, Jonathan suggested that key political actors are deliberately ignoring their responsibilities.
“The key actors in Nigeria, from the executive to the legislature and judiciary, know the right thing to do, but they are refusing to do it,” he said. “They are pretending to be asleep, and waking such a person is extremely difficult because they are fully aware of their actions.”
Jonathan did not mince words, stating that the events in Rivers State exemplify a “clear abuse of office and power,” spanning all arms of government.
Warning of Long-Term Consequences
The former president also issued a stark warning that the choices made by those in power today will have lasting ramifications. He urged politicians to recognize their collective responsibility in governance and act in the best interest of the nation.
Jonathan’s remarks add to the mounting criticism of the federal government’s intervention in Rivers State, with concerns that it sets a dangerous precedent for democratic governance and the balance of power in Nigeria.
Reference
Jonathan Condemns Rivers Crisis Handling, Accuses Government of Power Abuse