GEJ Condemns State of Emergency in Rivers: What It Means for Nigeria’s Reputation

The Implications of Declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers: GEJ Speaks Out

​Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months. Jonathan expressed concern that such actions could tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation, stating, “These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light.”

Jonathan emphasized that the situation reflects a misuse of power across all branches of government—executive, legislative, and judiciary. He lamented that despite knowing the appropriate course of action, officials are “pretending to sleep,” making it challenging to rectify the situation.

In his nationwide address, President Tinubu justified the emergency declaration by citing a breakdown of public order and safety in Rivers State, referencing Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution. He appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee governance during this period. ​

The declaration has sparked debates about its appropriateness, especially considering Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges in other regions. Critics argue that the political crisis in Rivers State does not warrant such an extreme measure, suggesting that the move might have underlying political motivations.