Rivers Crisis: Ex-President Jonathan Cautions Against Derailing Nigeria’s Democracy

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that the political crisis rocking Rivers State could collapse the country’s democracy.

Jonathan said the political situation in the State bore a semblance to the crisis of the defunct Western Region, which is said to have contributed to the collapse of the First Republic in 1966.

The former president also expressed concern that the proliferation of court orders and judgements, especially from courts of coordinate jurisdiction giving conflicting orders, would derail the country’s democracy if the National Judicial Council (NJC) fails to address the crisis.

Jonathan, who was reacting to the political conflict surrounding the local government elections in Rivers State on Saturday, said the oil-rich South-South state represents the gateway to the Niger Delta and that a threat to its peace could have huge security implications in the region.

He further said institutions of the state, especially security agencies, must refrain from actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

He said the political happenings in Rivers State in the past days were a cause for serious concern for everyone, especially lovers of democracy and all actors within the peace and security sector of the nation.

“Democracy is our collective asset, its growth and progress is dependent on governments commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue the interest of peace and justice at all times.

“Institutions of the state, especially security agencies must refrain from actions that could lead to breakdown of law and order.

“Rivers State represents the gateway to the Niger Delta and the threat to peace in the state could have huge security implications in the region.

“Let me sound a note of caution to all political actors in this crisis to be circumspect and patriotic in the pursuit of their political ambition and relevance.

“I am calling on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to take action that will curb the proliferation of court orders and judgements, especially those of concurrent jurisdiction giving conflicting orders. This, if not checked, will ridicule the institution of the judiciary and derail our democracy.

“The political situation in Rivers State, mirrors our past, the crisis of the Old Western Region. I, therefore, warn that Rivers should not be used as crystal that will form the block that will collapse our democracy.

“State institutions, especially the police and the judiciary and all other stakeholders, must always work for public interest and promote common good such as peace, justice and equality,” the former President stated.

He said elections are the cornerstone of any democracy because they are the primary source of legitimacy.

“This process renews the faith of citizens in their country as it affords them the opportunity to have a say on who governs them.

“Every election is significant, whether at national or sub-national levels as it counts as a gain and honour to democracy.

“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, especially state institutions, to work toward the promotion of sound democratic culture of which periodic election stands as a noble virtue,” he stated.