Former President Good­luck Jonathan has ex­pressed misgiving over the suspension of demo­cratic institutions in Rivers State, noting that it portrays Nigeria in negative light.

He said the action taken by the executive and endorsed by the legislature could tarnish Nige­ria’s reputation as a democratic government.

 

He made the remark at the Haske Satumari Foundation Col­loquium in Abuja on Saturday.

 

“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” he said.

 

He advised members of the three arms of government in the country, the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary to do the right thing.

 

The former President noted that the position of a country in the eyes of the internation­al community and how much investments it could attract de­pended on the positive actions of its leaders towards advancing democracy and good governance.

 

Dr. Jonathan stated this while speaking In Abuja on Saturday as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloqui­um which focused on promoting social change and empowerment through diversity, equity, and in­clusion.

 

 

He noted that, as a leader from the Niger Delta, people have been reaching out to him to comment on the political situation in Riv­ers state.

 

He stressed that it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on policies and ac­tions of their successors to avoid heating up the polity.

 

The former president how­ever rendered his advice in the form of a proverb.

 

He said: “Of course, what is happening in Nigeria today re­garding the situation in Rivers state can be explained by an In­dian proverb which says that if somebody is really sleeping, you can easily wake up that person, but if someone is pretending to sleep, it will be difficult to wake the person up.

 

He added that the key actors in Nigeria know the correct thing to do but they are refusing to do it, saying: “They are pretending to sleep and waking up such a per­son is extremely difficult.”

 

He also stated that building a society where no one is op­pressed is the hallmark of good leadership; one that leverages the transformative power of diversi­ty, equity, and inclusion for social change.

 

In charging the three arms of government not to compro­mise their offices and positions,. Jonathan further said: “What­ever happens in a country, the decisions taken by the executive arm of government, the parlia­ment and the judiciary affects everybody.

 

“Whatever we do affects ev­erybody, and if we must build a nation for our children and grandchildren, no matter how painful it is, we must try to do what is right.”

 

Speaking further on the theme of the colloquium, the former President said: “I believe that it is a mark of good leader­ship and governance to be able to leverage the transformative power of diversity, equity, and inclusion for social change.

 

“As a leader, I have seen how these values can bring people to­gether, foster a sense of belong­ing, and unlock the full potential of individuals and communities.

 

“However, I have also seen how the absence of these values can lead to division, inequality, and social unrest. It is therefore our responsibility, as leaders and change-makers, to promote a culture of diversity and inclu­sion, one that values and respects the dignity and worth of every human being and protects the interests of all.”

 

OPPOSITION SWELLS

 

Meanwhile, more vocal seg­ments of the populace have aligned with the opposition to the suspension of democratic rule in Rivers State.

 

Chief Martin Onovo, a sea­soned politician, activist and the 2015 presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), in his reaction, lamented the president’s action, which he said was undemocratic, unconsti­tutional and dictatorial.

 

Onovo, currently Head, Policy Positions, Movement for Funda­mental Change (MFC), stated: “Jagaban Tinubu is a maximum dictator. He has no respect for the Nigerian Constitution.

 

“He was not qualified to par­ticipate in the election, but he did. He lost the election woefully, but he was sworn in with armoured personnel carriers.

“He has routinely violated all applicable laws of Nigeria, including; the Procurement Act, the constitutional requirement of Federal Character and now, he has unlawfully suspended an elected governor in Rivers State using a spurious ‘State of Emer­gency’.

“According to Cardinal Ok­ogie, ‘If you want peace, work for justice’. The spurious ‘State of Emergency’ is unlawful and unjust. So, it cannot bring peace.

“As at the time of the spurious declaration, Rivers State was more peaceful than Katsina State and many other states.

 

“The spurious declaration is clearly a dictatorial attempt to fraudulently take over a state with an opposition party in gov­ernment. It is unjust and can only turn a simple political disagree­ment to a serious crisis.

“The Sole Administrator is il­legal and must be resisted by all patriotic Nigerians. The Nigeri­an Bar Association (NBA), PDP Governors, South-South Gover­nors, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), leading lawyers, notable journalists and all the leading op­position parties have denounced the diabolical declaration.

“The old, sickly, weak and semi-illiterate Jagaban Tinubu cannot be allowed to enslave Nigerians. We stand against the lawlessness of the Tinubu regime.”

Barrister Kenneth Udeze, the National Chairman of Action Al­liance (AA), stated: “It is a very unfortunate and sad develop­ment to the good people of Rivers State and the Nigerian state.

“At this 21st Century democra­cy, political actors have exhibited unnecessary selfish tendencies in the name of political interest.

“The president may have claimed the protection of Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in carrying out his dec­laration, but Nigerians know the truth of the political intentions surrounding such declaration.

“In all, the political elects in Rivers should face the music.”

Also contributing, Barrister Olalekan F. Ojo, a Lagos lawyer, said that under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, the President may declare a State of Emergency only under spe­cific circumstances, such as war, breakdown of public order, or natural disasters, and must secure National Assembly ap­proval.

Barrister Ojo, a human rights lawyer and the Managing Part­ner, Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, a leading law firm in Nigeria, stated: “Appointing a Sole Ad­ministrator is unconstitutional as it undermines the federation structure and elected state gov­ernment.

“The Constitution guarantees states’ autonomy, making any ac­tion bypassing the governor or state institutions unlawful.

“While the president’s intent may be to restore peace, impos­ing a Sole Administrator could escalate tensions, fuel political resistance, and breed distrust.

“A more constitutional path would involve collaboration with state authorities, deploying secu­rity forces, and encouraging dia­logue among stakeholders.

“Ultimately, constitutional ad­herence, respect for federalism, and inclusive conflict resolution strategies are key to ensuring lasting peace.”

Barrister Onyinye-Ghandi Chukwunyere, also a human rights lawyer and activist, said the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the draconian removal of the democratically elected gover­nor and state legislature by mere presidential fiat, is an un­constitutional overreach by the Tinubu government.

Barrister Chukwunyere, the official spokesperson of the Na­tional Leader and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elec­tion, stressed: “It is a very dan­gerous precedent and must be resisted by the Nigerian people. Section 305 of the constitution does not contemplate the remov­al or suspension democratic structures in a state or the ar­bitrary removal of elected state officials who supposedly have the mandate of their people.

“It is however not surpris­ing that Tinubu would push the envelope and completely disre­gard both the constitution and established democratic norms having completed his egregious capture and degradation of the institutions of the Nigerian state beginning with how he snatched and ran with power.

“It is now left to the Nigerian people to understand that noth­ing short of a drastic overhaul of the system and the permanent retirement of the current order would salvage the country.

“Peace will certainly not emerge from this power grab.”

Barrister Emeka Iheonu, a Lagos lawyer, also stated: “On the declaration of a State of Emer­gency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under Sec­tion 305 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the President has the authority to declare a State of Emergency in the Federation, or any part thereof.

“This declaration can be made under specific circumstances such as the federation being at war, imminent danger of inva­sion, or involvement in a state of war, actual breakdown of public order and public safety in any part of the federation requiring extraordinary measures to re­store peace and security, clear and present danger of such a break­down, occurrence or imminent danger of any disaster or natural calamity affecting a community, any other public danger that con­stitutes a threat to the existence of the federation, a request from a state governor, sanctioned by a two-third majority resolution of the State House of Assembly, under certain conditions.

“After issuing the proclama­tion, the president must imme­diately transmit copies to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Repre­sentatives.

 

“Each must convene their re­spective Houses to consider and decide whether to approve the proclamation.

“If the National Assembly is in session, approval must occur within two days; if not in session, within 10 days.

“The proclamation ceases to have effect if not approved within these time frames, or if revoked by the President.

“In the case of Rivers State, the President was wrong in sus­pending the Governor, Deputy Governor and the State House of Assembly members during a State of Emergency.

“The Constitution did not provide for such. I also do not believe that what is happening in Rivers State calls for such a declaration.

“The Supreme Court made some decisions on the imbroglio in the State and the governor had been trying to comply with such decisions despite the gang up by the Assembly members, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and whose seats ought to have been declared vacant and fresh elections conducted.

“The President’s action will not restore peace in Rivers State. It will exacerbate the already vol­atile situation.

“He ought to have waded in again on the tussles between the governor and the governor’s predecessor, the current Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

Barrister Blessing Joseph Af­ang, also a human rights lawyer, said President Bola Tinubu’s dec­laration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers, is an in­tervention aimed at addressing the ongoing political crisis.

Barrister Afang, President of the International Human Rights Protection Service-Nige­ria (IHRPS-N), stressed: “The ap­pointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd) as the Sole Admin­istrator for an initial six-month period underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring stability.

“While such measures can provide a temporary framework for governance, it is my opinion that adherence to the rule of law, respect for judicial processes, and constructive engagement is what will bring lasting peace among all political stakeholders.

“The collective efforts of the Rivers State populace and their leaders to prioritise the state’s welfare over partisan interests, is where the success of this inter­vention is hinged on.”

Professor John Ebhomien, a, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Lagos, stated: “The declaration of State of Emergen­cy in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the appointment of a Sole Adminis­trator for the state, is a welcome development.

“You would remember vivid­ly before the declaration of State of Emergency, the crisis in Rivers State had assumed a dangerous dimension, with inflammatory statements here and there.

“The supporters of Chief Nye­som Wike and Governor Fubara had taken rascality too far.

“Remember there was a truce brokered by Mr. President for peace to reign, yet both sup­porters of Chief Wike and Gov Fubara refused to embrace peace.

“This is unacceptable. The circus display of gangsterism in Rivers State by those who are supposed to preach peace is wor­risome.

 

“Sincerely speaking, the dec­laration of State of Emergency in Rivers State will restore peace. The appointment of retired Gen­eral is a strategic action.

“I hope Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd) will work with military precision to restore peace. My ad­vice to the people of River State is to cooperate with the Admin­istrator to move Rivers State to an enviable level.”

Tola Oresanwo, an activ­ist, stated that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, underscored the severity of the region’s political and security crises.

Oresanwo, Director, Admin­istration and Programmes, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), stat­ed: “While the President’s actions are constitutionally grounded, the effectiveness of this inter­vention in restoring peace will depend on several factors.”