Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State and suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials in the state.
He warned that such actions could damage Nigeria’s image.
While speaking on Saturday, March 22, as chairman of the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja, Dr. Jonathan expressed disappointment over the removal of democratically elected leaders by Tinubu after declaring a state of emergency in the state
“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” Jonathan said.
He said although it is not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues in the polity so as not to heat up the polity, he insisted that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is heavily dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of the country.
Jonathan also clarified that his reaction became necessary after calls from many Nigerians, urging him to speak on the events in Rivers State as a prominent son of the Niger Delta.
He faulted the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, noting that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary.