Jonathan criticizes handling of Rivers crisis, calls it ‘clear abuse of power’
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the handling of the political crisis in Rivers State, describing it as a blatant abuse of power by all three arms of government.
The crisis escalated on March 18 when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state due to political and security instability. He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state house of assembly. The National Assembly later ratified the president’s decision through voice votes.
Speaking at the annual colloquium organized by the Haske Satumari Foundation in Abuja, Jonathan expressed disappointment in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, accusing them of deliberately ignoring the right course of action.
“The key actors in Nigeria, from the executive to the legislature and the judiciary, know the correct thing to do. But they are refusing to do it,” he said.
“They are pretending to sleep, and waking such a person is extremely difficult because the person knows the right thing.”
He likened the situation to an Indian proverb, suggesting that those in power were deliberately neglecting their responsibilities.
Jonathan also warned that the actions taken by the government would have long-term consequences, urging politicians to recognize their collective responsibility in governance.
