Victor EzejaThe Presidency has reacted to comments by former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said Tinubu acted to save Rivers State from descending into chaos.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPresident Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the state House of Assembly has elicited nationwide reactions. While some commended his action, others condemned it, saying it is against the principles of democracy.
Former president Jonathan, who spoke at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, 22 March 2025, expressed concerns about the implications of the action on Nigeria’s image in the international community.
The ex-president decried a trend of abuse of offices and powers which he said cut across the executive, legislative and Judiciary arms of government.
He advised that to build a nation for tomorrow, all citizens including the leaders at various levels must commit to doing what is right.
Also, the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, expressed dismay over the outright suspension of elected officials in Rivers State, noting that it was excessive and very inimical to democratic principles.
The literary icon observed that the 1999 constitution gives the president too much power and therefore called for a national discussion on the matter.
However, Ajayi said Jonathan and Soyinka’s comments were their personal opinions on the matter.
“Professor Wole Soyinka and former President Goodluck Jonathan are respected statesmen. Like many Nigerians that have offered varied opinions on the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the two distinguished Nigerians have also offered their own opinions too,” Ajayi stated.
According to the presidential adviser, Tinubu’s emergency rule declaration and the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State were part of his responsibilities as president, and he would not neglect his obligation to safeguard the nation.
The presidential aide further argued that Tinubu exercised his power under the 1999 Constitution.
“President Tinubu has a country to govern, and he has exercised his power under the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“President Tinubu has a duty to preserve Nigeria’s corporate existence. He won’t allow any part of the country or state to descend into chaos.
“The Supreme Court ruled that there is no functioning government in Rivers State known to the constitution of Nigeria. President Tinubu won’t fail in his sacred duty to protect and preserve the country,” Ajayi stated.
READ ALSO: Fubara Makes First Public Appearance As Soyinka Speaks On Rivers’ Emergency Rule
Also, in a piece published on his X handle, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, defended the president’s action.
Onanuga said the political standoff between Governor Fubara and the State Assembly members “could have continued and degenerated into violence” if Tinubu didn’t intervene by declaring a state of emergency.
He also said there were growing concerns that militants in the creeks were plotting to sabotage critical infrastructure such as oil installations in the state which could crash oil production with the attendant impact on government’s revenue and foreign investment potential.
Responding to critics who argued that the crisis did not yet warrant an emergency rule, Onanuga said Tinubu, as a responsible leader, couldn’t afford to wait for significant breakdown of law and order.
READ ALSO: Rivers State: How Fubara, Others’ Suspension Tarnishes Nigeria’s Image – Jonathan
“Rivers was in a grave situation, as the combatants refused to allow reason to prevail, even after the Supreme Court judgment, before President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on 18 March. The President took action in the best interest of the people of the State, who had become victims of the warring politicians, the people they elected to serve them. President Tinubu needed to act. He chose prevention over cure,” Onanuga stated.
On the concerns that the emergency rule undermines democracy, the president’s media aide said the intervention is temporary, and aimed at restoring stability in the state.
He claimed that the appointed administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd), has taken steps to create a lasting solution to the crisis.
“It is worth repeating that President Tinubu acted within the law and his executive powers under the constitution until the Supreme Court says otherwise.
President Tinubu and the National Assembly remain committed to lifting the emergency once stability returns and also ensuring elected officials resume their duties,” Onanuga added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
