Former President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a grave warning to political actors in Rivers State, urging them to prioritize democracy over personal ambition as the local government elections on October 5, 2024, turn increasingly volatile. His caution comes amid mounting allegations of electoral manipulation, violence, and the politicization of state institutions, which have cast a dark shadow over the elections.
The elections have sparked intense controversy, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, locked in a fierce political battle. Wike’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the polls, citing court orders that purportedly barred the election’s legitimacy. Allegations have since surfaced that this faction, working alongside elements within state institutions, is attempting to derail the electoral process at the grassroots level.
In a strongly worded statement titled “RIVERS CRISIS: A NOTE OF CAUTION,” Jonathan expressed deep concern over the unfolding events in the state. He stressed that elections are the cornerstone of democracy and warned that actions undermining this process could threaten the entire democratic system in Nigeria.
“I am aware that the local government election taking place in Rivers State today has been a subject of great interest to political actors,” Jonathan said. “The political happenings in Rivers State in the past days are a cause for serious concern for everyone, especially lovers of democracy and all actors within the peace and security sector of our nation.”
Jonathan emphasized the importance of elections as a critical process for renewing citizens' faith in governance and ensuring the legitimacy of democratic leadership. He underscored the responsibility of state institutions, particularly security agencies, to act impartially and avoid actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
“Democracy is our collective asset,” Jonathan continued, “its growth and progress depend on the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and pursuing the interests of peace and justice at all times.”
The former president also drew parallels between the current political situation in Rivers State and the crisis that led to the infamous collapse of the Old Western Region, warning that Rivers must not become the flashpoint that destabilizes Nigeria’s democracy.
He urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to address the worrying trend of conflicting court orders, which he described as a threat to the judiciary’s credibility and the integrity of the democratic process.
“I am calling on the National Judicial Council to take action to curb the proliferation of court orders and judgments, especially those of concurrent jurisdiction giving conflicting orders. This, if not checked, will ridicule the institution of the judiciary and derail our democracy,” Jonathan stated.
Rivers State, which serves as a crucial gateway to the oil-rich Niger Delta, is considered a political and economic hub in Nigeria. Jonathan warned that any breakdown in peace within the state could have serious security implications for the entire region.
He closed his statement with a plea to political actors to remain patriotic and exercise caution in their pursuit of power, reminding them that peace, justice, and equality must guide their actions.
