Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka have strongly criticized the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State. Jonathan warned that the situation could tarnish Nigeria’s reputation, while Soyinka argued that it contradicted the principles of federalism.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing governance breakdown due to the ongoing conflict between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers, as well as reported attacks on oil facilities. As part of this measure, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly. In their place, he appointed retired Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ette Ibas, as the sole administrator of the state.
To justify his decision, Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Two days later, the National Assembly endorsed the emergency rule, despite opposition from some legislators. However, the decision has sparked backlash from various quarters, including governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), and civil society organizations.
Speaking at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja, Jonathan expressed his dismay over the suspension of democratic governance in Rivers State. He emphasized that the removal of elected officials sent a negative message about Nigeria’s governance. As chairman of the event, he criticized the executive, legislature, and judiciary for their roles in the crisis, accusing them of abusing their powers.
According to Jonathan, the image and economic prospects of the country are closely tied to the actions of its political institutions. He asserted that those in power were fully aware of the right course of action but deliberately chose to ignore it. He described the situation as a blatant abuse of authority across all arms of government.
While former presidents typically refrain from making statements that could escalate political tensions, Jonathan explained that he felt compelled to speak due to numerous appeals from Nigerians, particularly as a key figure from the Niger Delta. He questioned the credibility of the judiciary, suggesting that its independence was being undermined by external influences.
During his tenure, Jonathan also declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states in May 2013 to combat the Boko Haram insurgency. However, unlike the current situation in Rivers, he did not suspend democratic institutions in those states.
Soyinka, on his part, condemned the decision, arguing that it violated the spirit of federalism. Speaking to The Africa Report, he criticized the manner in which the emergency rule was implemented, stating that it betrayed the principles of a true federal system. He pointed out that the 1999 Constitution grants excessive power to the president, advocating for a national discussion to address this issue.
According to Soyinka, if the constitution permits such a move, then it is time to amend it to ensure a more genuine federal structure. He contended that the centralization of power in the federal government was not ideal for a diverse society like Nigeria. He reiterated the need for a national conference to address fundamental issues within the country’s governance structure, emphasizing that the current system does not reflect true federalism.
In response to these criticisms, Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, described Jonathan and Soyinka as respected statesmen but insisted that their views were personal opinions. He defended Tinubu’s decision, stating that the president acted within his constitutional powers to prevent chaos in Rivers State. He also referenced a Supreme Court ruling that allegedly indicated that no functional government existed in Rivers at the time of the emergency declaration.
Ajayi maintained that Tinubu’s primary responsibility was to preserve Nigeria’s unity and stability, stressing that the president would not allow any part of the country to descend into lawlessness.
Meanwhile, prominent activists, including Aisha Yesufu and other human rights advocates, have demanded an immediate reversal of the emergency rule. They called for the reinstatement of Fubara and Odu, describing the president’s actions as unconstitutional and a violation of democratic principles. Speaking under the banner of Citizens and Civil Society Organizations at a press conference in Abuja, they condemned the National Assembly’s approval of the measure, arguing that lawmakers had failed the people.
Yesufu emphasized that Nigerians must safeguard democracy and ensure that the rule of law is upheld. She warned that allowing the president and the National Assembly to set such a precedent could have long-term consequences. She reminded the public that many people had fought and died for democracy in Nigeria, urging citizens to resist any attempt to undermine democratic processes.
She stressed that in a democratic society, the constitution must be adhered to strictly, warning that failure to challenge the current situation could lead to a pattern where elected leaders act in their self-interest rather than serving the people.
Anthony Ubani, Executive Director of FixPolitics, echoed these sentiments, arguing that the emergency rule contradicted the democratic aspirations of Nigerians. He announced plans for multiple lawsuits challenging the president’s actions in court.
Ubani called for an immediate reversal of the suspension of elected officials, stating that the president lacked the authority to arbitrarily remove them. He described Tinubu’s decision as dictatorial and unlawful, urging lawmakers who opposed the emergency rule to voice their concerns.
He also emphasized the importance of judicial intervention, urging the courts to assess the legality of the emergency rule without dismissing cases on technical grounds. He argued that failing to challenge unconstitutional actions could normalize them, endangering democracy in the long run.
A coalition of rights groups has also announced plans for nationwide protests against the emergency rule in Rivers State. The Take-It-Back Movement, led by National Coordinator Sanyaolu Juwon, disclosed that mass demonstrations were scheduled for April 7 to oppose what they described as a slide toward dictatorship.
Juwon accused the Tinubu administration of gradually eroding democratic principles, warning that the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State was a step toward authoritarian rule. He pointed to similar actions in Lagos State and other parts of the country, arguing that the government was systematically silencing opposition voices.
Similarly, Hassan Taiwo, national spokesperson for the Youth Rights Campaign and a representative of the #EndBadGovernance movement, criticized the emergency rule as an attack on democracy. He urged Nigerians to resist what he called a deliberate attempt to undermine governance structures.
Auwal Musa, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, reaffirmed his commitment to defending the right to peaceful protest, stressing that civil society organizations would not relent in their opposition to the emergency rule.
The Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) also threw its weight behind the planned protests. National Secretary Peluola Adewale called on the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to take the lead in mobilizing against the president’s actions. He argued that the emergency rule was an unconstitutional move that threatened democratic rights.
Adewale insisted that all civil society organizations must unite to resist what he described as an attempted coup against the people of Rivers State. He emphasized that no single individual should have the power to strip an entire state of its democratic rights, calling for nationwide action to restore the rule of law.
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