Former President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a scathing rebuke of the recent state of emergency declared in Rivers State, labeling it a “blatant abuse of power” by Nigeria’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
The crisis intensified on March 18 when General Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency. Consequently, he suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state assembly a decision the national assembly swiftly ratified through voice votes.
Speaking on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Haske Satumari Foundation’s annual colloquium in Abuja—titled “Promoting Social Change Through Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice”—Jonathan accused the government of flouting due process in a move that he says undermines Nigeria’s democratic credibility.
“As a former president and a Niger Deltan, I’ve been pressed to address the crisis in Rivers State,” Jonathan said, acknowledging the delicate balance former leaders maintain by rarely critiquing their successors. “We avoid stoking tension, but this situation demands a response.” He likened the government’s inaction to an Indian proverb: “If someone is truly asleep, you can wake them, but if they’re pretending to sleep, it’s nearly impossible.” For Jonathan, the executive, legislature, and judiciary know the right path but are “deliberately refusing to take it,” a failure he called a “clear abuse of authority.”
The former president tied this governance lapse to Nigeria’s tarnished international reputation, questioning why Nigerian passports are undervalued and citizens face scrutiny abroad. “It’s not just fraud—‘yahoo’ boys—but decisions like these that scare off investors. Who will trust a country where the judiciary bends to political whims?” he asked. Jonathan urged public officials to act with integrity, warning that Nigeria’s future hinges on such accountability. “If we want a nation our children can inherit with pride, we must do what’s right, no matter the cost.”
The colloquium, attended by high-profile figures, also featured calls for inclusivity. Jonathan praised the foundation’s focus on diversity and equity, reflecting on his own presidency: “I appointed more women to office than any predecessor because inclusion drives progress.”
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by Sen. Amos Yohanna, echoed this, stressing that “social justice and the rule of law are the bedrock of peace and stability.”
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, via Prof. Shadrach Best, recalled Jonathan’s restraint during a past emergency in his state, noting he preserved democratic structures—a contrast to the current Rivers situation.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago and former Women Affairs Minister Maryam Inna Ciroma also championed equity, with Ciroma lamenting the rollback of affirmative action under General Tinubu.
Kenyan Senator Crystal Asige, a visually impaired parliamentarian, added a regional perspective, decrying African leaders’ failure to enforce laws for vulnerable groups. “In Nigeria and Kenya, policies exist, but implementation is weak—schools, hospitals, and job markets remain inaccessible,” she said, urging stricter oversight.
Jonathan closed by invoking Nigeria’s national anthem, calling for a just society and sustained commitment to change. The Rivers emergency, he warned, is a test case: “When all three arms of government collude in such overreach, it doesn’t just stain our image—it dims our future.”
