Former President Goodluck Jonathan has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, warning that such actions could tarnish Nigeria’s global reputation.
Speaking as Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on the 22nd of March, 2025, Jonathan expressed deep disappointment over the removal of democratically elected leaders.
“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” he stated, lamenting the implications for Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
Jonathan’s remarks follow Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich state, which led to the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly.
Despite strong opposition from many Nigerians, the House of Representatives and the Senate swiftly endorsed Tinubu’s decision, further intensifying political tensions.
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While acknowledging that former presidents typically refrain from commenting on governance to avoid escalating tensions, Jonathan insisted that the actions of Nigeria’s leadership across the executive, legislative, and judicial arms directly influence the country’s international standing and investment climate.
He revealed that growing pressure from Nigerians, particularly as a prominent son of the Niger Delta, compelled him to speak out.
Expressing concern over undue influence on the judiciary, Jonathan warned that when judicial independence is compromised, public trust erodes, making it increasingly difficult for citizens to believe in the fairness of the system.