From Victor Osula, Abuja
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the dissolution of the state House of Assembly and the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy.
He described the move as a “clear abuse of power” and warned that it could tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation.
President Bola Tinubu, in a nationwide address on Tuesday, announced the emergency rule, suspending both the executive and legislature in the state. He subsequently appointed retired naval officer, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, as the state’s administrator.
The National Assembly controversially ratified the proclamation on Thursday, with Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), defending the decision as being in the best interest of the people and the country.
Speaking at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan placed blame for the lingering political crisis on the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
He cautioned that the removal of elected officials would not only worsen the country’s political climate but also discourage foreign investments.
The former president noted that he had refrained from making public statements on the matter but felt compelled to do so due to pressure from Nigerians, especially given his Niger Delta roots.
“As a former President and also from the Niger Delta, people expected me to speak up when the issue of suspending the Rivers State governor came up. Many Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and myself, were urged to intervene,” Jonathan said.
He explained that former leaders traditionally avoid criticizing sitting presidents to prevent political instability but insisted that the situation in Rivers was too grave to ignore.
He stated, “What is happening in Nigeria today, particularly in Rivers State, reminds me of an old Indian proverb. If a man is asleep, you can wake him up. But if he is pretending to sleep, waking him becomes impossible. That is the problem we face.
He added, “The key actors—executive, legislature, and judiciary—know the right thing to do, but they are refusing to do it. This is a blatant abuse of power across all arms of government.”
Jonathan lamented the broader implications of such governance failures, pointing out that Nigeria’s global standing is suffering due to poor leadership decisions.
He stated, “Why is it that our passport is not respected internationally? Why do Nigerians face discrimination at airports? Many think it’s because of internet fraudsters, but it goes beyond that. The decisions taken by government officials—whether in the executive, legislature, or judiciary—affect the entire country.”
He further stressed that no serious investor would commit funds to a nation where judicial independence is compromised.
He said, “No businessman will invest in a country where the judiciary is manipulated, where government officials can dictate court rulings. It is too risky. If we truly want to build a nation for future generations, we must make difficult but right decisions, even when they are costly.”
Jonathan urged all public office holders, from the presidency to the judiciary, to uphold integrity in governance.
He added, “If you hold an executive position—as a president, minister, governor, or civil servant—or serve in the legislature or judiciary, you must strive to do what is right. Only then can we build a nation that our children will be proud of.”
He concluded by calling for collective action in fostering good governance.
He stated, “Social change is not a one-time event. It requires sustained commitment, collaboration, and dedication to values that promote justice and accountability. Government, civil society, and the private sector must all play their part in shaping Nigeria’s future.”
“But traditionally, all over the world, former presidents rarely make statements about what the current president is doing because of the tension it could create in the country. Look at America, look at other countries—it is hardly common for former presidents to intervene in such matters
“The situation in Rivers State reminds me of an Indian proverb: If somebody is truly asleep, you can wake them up easily. But if they are only pretending to sleep, waking them up becomes impossible. The key actors in Nigeria—the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary—know the right thing to do, but they are refusing to do it. They are pretending to sleep. Waking such people is extremely difficult, but they know the right thing.
“There is a clear abuse of office, power, and privileges across the three arms of government—the executive, the parliament, and the judiciary. And I always plead with our people to understand that whatever we do affects everybody. Sometimes, we make decisions thinking they do not impact us directly.
“I have been a president before, and even after leaving office, people approach me with concerns. They ask: ‘Why is our passport not valued as much?’ ‘Why are Nigerians not given the kind of treatment we deserve at international airports?’
“No businessman will bring his money to invest in a country where the judiciary is compromised, where a government functionary can dictate to judges what judgment they should give. No one will invest in such an economy because it is a big risk.”
“If we want to build a nation where our children and grandchildren can thrive, we must strive to do what is right. It may cost us, but we must be willing to pay the price,” he added.
