Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has expressed strong disapproval of the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, warning that the move harms Nigeria’s global image. Speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan said the actions taken against the governor and other elected officials reflect poorly on the country’s democracy.
Jonathan stated that the recent developments in Rivers State, particularly the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, have painted the country in a negative light. He emphasized that such actions could have far-reaching consequences on Nigeria’s image and its ability to attract foreign investments, which are heavily influenced by the functioning of the country’s executive, legislature, and judiciary.
Although Jonathan voiced his concerns, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) threw its support behind President Tinubu’s decision, citing the importance of safeguarding national security. Dr. Agbo Major, the NNPP National Chairman, defended the declaration, asserting that the president, as the country’s Chief Security Officer, had acted in the best interest of the nation based on intelligence reports. Major argued that the federal government could not afford to allow the situation in Rivers to spiral further.
In contrast, Jonathan, speaking at the colloquium, warned that the suspension of elected officials and the ongoing crisis revealed a failure across Nigeria’s key institutions. He stated that while it is typically uncommon for former presidents to publicly intervene in such matters, he was compelled to speak out due to mounting public pressure. Jonathan described the actions of the government as a “clear abuse of office” across the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
The former president lamented that the judicial system in Nigeria has been compromised, making it difficult for citizens to trust its decisions. He likened the current situation to an Indian proverb, saying that while the country’s leaders know the right course of action, they have failed to act, pretending to be unaware of the proper steps to take.
Jonathan concluded by calling for more transparency and accountability in governance, urging Nigeria’s leaders to ensure that the actions of the government truly reflect the will and interests of the people.
