Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka have spoken against the suspension of elected officers in Rivers State.
While Jonathan described the development as capable of bringing Nigeria into disrepute, Soyinka said it was against the spirit of federalism.
Speaking at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan condemned the suspension of democratic rule in Rivers State, saying he was disappointed that elected officials were removed.
“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” Jonathan, who was the chairman of the programme, said.
“This is a clear abuse of offices, clear abuse of power, clear abuse of privileges, cutting across the three arms of government — from the executive through the parliament and to the judiciary,” Jonathan said.
On his part, Soyinka said the declaration was against the spirit of federalism.
The Nobel laureate, who spoke to an international news outlet, The Africa Report, maintained that the declaration of a state of emergency in the manner with which it was carried out betrayed federalism.
According to Soyinka, the 1999 constitution gives too much power to the president, saying there was the need for a national discussion on the matter.
He said, “If it is constitutionally right, then I think it is about time we sat down and amended the constitution to make sure that it operates as a genuine federal entity.
Reacting, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said while Soyinka and Jonathan were respected statesmen, their opinions were personal.
He said, “Professor Wole Soyinka and former President Goodluck Jonathan are respected statesmen. Like many Nigerians that have offered varied opinions on the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the two distinguished Nigerians have also offered their own opinions too.
“President Tinubu has a country to govern, and he has exercised his power under the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“President Tinubu has a duty to preserve the corporate existence of Nigeria. He won’t allow any part of the country or state to descend into chaos.
“The Supreme Court ruled that there is no functioning government in Rivers State known to the constitution of Nigeria. President Tinubu won’t fail in his sacred duty to protect and preserve the country.”
Punch
