posted 23rd March 2025
Fubara’s Suspension Casts a Shadow Over Nigeria, Says Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, warning that the decision risks tarnishing Nigeria’s international reputation. Speaking as Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan expressed dismay over the removal of elected leaders, describing it as a troubling precedent.
“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” Jonathan remarked, highlighting the potential damage to Nigeria’s image. His comments come just days after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich South-South state and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The President’s drastic measures, announced earlier this week, were purportedly aimed at restoring stability in Rivers State amid ongoing political unrest. The turmoil stems from a bitter feud between Governor Fubara, state lawmakers, and the former governor of Rivers State- Mr Nyesom Wike, which has paralysed governance in the region.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended,” Tinubu stated. He has appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee its affairs during the suspension.
Jonathan, a prominent figure from the Niger Delta also voiced serious concerns about the broader implications of the President’s actions. While acknowledging that former presidents typically refrain from commenting on political matters to avoid inflaming tensions, he felt compelled to speak out due to persistent appeals from Nigerians for his perspective on the Rivers crisis.
“The image of the country and how much investment a country attracts is heavily dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature, and judiciary,” Jonathan argued. He went further, decrying instances where individuals exert undue influence over the judiciary, warning that such interference undermines public confidence in the justice system. “It makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary,” he said.
The suspension of Fubara and other elected officials has sparked debate across Nigeria, with critics questioning whether the move sets a dangerous precedent for democratic governance. For now, Rivers State remains under the stewardship of Vice Admiral Ibas, as the nation watches closely to see how the political drama unfolds.
