Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has warned police and judges against putting Rivers State into chaos to please politicians.
Goodluck Jonathan said this while reacting to the crisis surrounding the ongoing local government election in the state.
In a statement released on Saturday, Jonathan criticized the role of the Nigeria Police in handling the election, and called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to address the issue of conflicting court judgments related to the election. He warned that if the political crisis in Rivers escalates, it could engulf the entire Niger Delta in instability.
“I am aware that the local government election taking place in Rivers State today, October 5, has been a subject of great interest to political actors,” Jonathan stated. He pointed out that recent political developments in the state are alarming, especially for those who cherish democracy and work in the peace and security sectors.
Highlighting the critical importance of elections, Jonathan remarked, “Elections are the cornerstone of democracy because they are the primary source of legitimacy. This process renews the faith of citizens in their country as it affords them the opportunity to have a say in who governs them.”
He urged all stakeholders, particularly state institutions, to uphold democratic values, noting that the integrity of elections is essential for the health of Nigeria’s democracy. Jonathan stressed that democracy is a collective asset, and its success depends on the government’s commitment to rule of law and the pursuit of peace and justice.
Warning state security agencies against actions that could lead to disorder, Jonathan reiterated the importance of maintaining peace in Rivers State, which he described as the gateway to the Niger Delta. Any threat to peace in the state, he said, could have severe security implications for the wider region.
He also called on political actors to put the nation’s interests ahead of personal ambitions, urging them to act with caution and patriotism. “Let me sound a note of caution to all political actors in this crisis to be circumspect and patriotic in the pursuit of their political ambition and relevance,” he added.
Jonathan further called on the NJC to address the increasing number of conflicting court orders related to the election. “This, if not checked, will ridicule the institution of the judiciary and derail our democracy,” he warned.
Drawing comparisons to the crisis in the Old Western Region, Jonathan urged all stakeholders—particularly the police, judiciary, and political actors—to promote peace, justice, and equality, and to avoid turning Rivers State into a flashpoint that could destabilize the country’s democratic foundation.
