Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, calling the move damaging to Nigeria's international image. Speaking at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan expressed his disappointment, asserting that such actions undermine Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
Jonathan’s remarks come in the wake of President Bola Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which included the suspension of Governor Fubara and other elected officials. The former president warned that the actions of the executive and legislative arms of government reflect poorly on Nigeria’s global standing, emphasizing that the country’s reputation and its ability to attract investments are directly tied to the integrity of its institutions.
While Jonathan was critical of the suspension, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) expressed support for Tinubu’s decision. Dr. Agbo Major, the NNPP’s National Chairman, defended the move, saying that President Tinubu, as the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria, was justified in taking action based on intelligence reports. He added that the federal government could not stand idly by while the crisis in Rivers State escalated.
However, Jonathan urged caution, stating that it is not customary for former presidents to publicly weigh in on such issues to avoid further political turmoil. Nevertheless, responding to calls from Nigerians, Jonathan stated that the actions of the government could have long-term consequences, not just for Nigeria’s image but also for the faith citizens have in the judicial system. He lamented the undue influence exerted by certain individuals on the judiciary, which he claimed erodes public confidence in the rule of law.
Referring to the current situation in Nigeria, Jonathan warned that it resembled an "Indian proverb" about a person pretending to sleep and ignoring the right course of action despite knowing what should be done. He criticized the apparent disregard for proper governance, noting that the situation in Rivers State is a clear example of abuse of power across the three branches of government.
In his closing remarks, Jonathan called for more decisive and transparent actions from Nigeria’s leadership, urging the executive, legislature, and judiciary to work together to safeguard the country’s democracy.
