The Nigerian Presidency has fired back at former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka over their opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a statement on Sunday, March 23, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said while Jonathan and Soyinka were entitled to their opinions, they must recognize that Tinubu had a nation to govern.
“Professor Wole Soyinka and former President Goodluck Jonathan are respected statesmen. Like many Nigerians who 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,” the statement read.
Ajayi stressed that Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers, maintaining that the president had a duty to protect national stability and would not allow any part of the country to descend into chaos.
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“President Tinubu has a country to govern, and he has exercised his power under the 1999 Constitution as amended,” he added.
The political crisis in Rivers State escalated after a fierce power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The rift deepened when 27 lawmakers moved to impeach the governor. The crisis prompted Tinubu to declare emergency rule on March 18, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and all state lawmakers for six months.
Tinubu’s move has sparked nationwide debate, with critics, including Jonathan and Soyinka, questioning its legality and warning of its implications for democracy.
While the Presidency insists the decision was necessary to prevent anarchy, opposition voices argue that it undermines state autonomy and sets a dangerous precedent.