Suspension of Fubara, lawmakers have dents Nigeria’s image — Jonathan

Suspension of Fubara, lawmakers have dents Nigeria’s image — Jonathan

 

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has expressed concerns that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials in Rivers State has dented Nigeria’s image. Jonathan, speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, voiced his disappointment over the removal of elected officials, noting that such actions reflect poorly on the nation.

 

Jonathan, who typically refrains from commenting on political matters to avoid stoking tensions, said he was compelled to speak due to public pressure from concerned Nigerians. According to the former president, the actions of key political figures, particularly those in the executive and legislative branches, have cast a negative light on Nigeria.

 

Jonathan added that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of that country.

 

Goodluck Jonathan faulted the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, noting that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary.

 

“The image of a country and the extent to which it can attract investments depend significantly on the behavior of its government institutions,” Jonathan stated.

 

He emphasized that the judiciary’s independence was crucial for maintaining public trust, adding that the situation in Rivers State, where an individual’s influence seemed to dictate judicial decisions, undermined this principle.

 

Meanwhile, on the same day, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) publicly supported President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. The party argued that no responsible government would allow a crisis to escalate without decisive intervention. Dr. Agbo Major, the NNPP National Chairman, defended the president’s actions, stating that the information available to him from intelligence sources may have painted a more urgent picture of the situation, which justified the suspension of the state government.

 

“The crisis was further compounded by some leaders who failed to offer advice or promote peace during the turmoil, and instead allowed the situation to worsen before stepping in with criticism,” Major remarked.

 

Despite the support from the NNPP, Jonathan’s remarks underscore the growing concerns about the political climate in Rivers State and the broader implications for Nigeria’s governance and international standing. The ongoing political unrest in the state continues to draw attention, with many calling for a resolution that will restore stability and confidence in the nation’s institutions.