Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that suspending elected officials in Rivers State risks tarnishing the country’s reputation.
He made the comment at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday.
“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” he said.
Jonathan, speaking about the political turmoil in Rivers State, stated that, while it is not customary for former presidents to comment on political issues in order to avoid inflaming the situation, he insisted that the image of a country and the amount of investment it attracts are heavily influenced by the actions of the country’s executive, legislature, and judiciary.
Jonathan’s comments on the emergency rule came after governors from the Peoples Democratic Party said that President Bola Tinubu’s actions were unlawful and undermined Nigeria’s democratic ideals.
Chronicle NG reports that Tinubu imposed a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and state House of Assembly members for six months.
However, Jonathan stated that his speech was essential in response to numerous requests from Nigerians requesting him to speak out about the happenings in Rivers State.
He criticised the situation in which an individual can dictate to the judiciary, stating that it makes it difficult for anyone to believe in the judiciary.
