Suspension of Fubara, others dent on Nigeria’s image — Jonathan

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials of Rivers State is a dent on Nigeria’s image.

Former President Jonathan said this while speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday.

He expressed disappointment that elected officials had been removed.

Meanwhile, the same day, the New Nigeria Peoples Party supported President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The party said no responsible government will allow a situation to deteriorate before taking decisive action in the best interest of its citizens.

NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, told newsmen: “President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria.

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“The information available to him as president from intelligence sources may not be in the public purview.

“The government in Rivers was suspended and no one can actually say what would have happened by now, judging from the deepening crisis.

“The crisis was further compounded by some leaders who, instead of offering advice or promoting peace during the turmoil, allowed it to escalate before later stepping in to criticise.”

But former President Jonathan said: “These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light.”

He said it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues, so as not to heat up the polity.

However, Jonathan said his comment became necessary after calls from many Nigerians urging him to speak on the events in Rivers State.

He added that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

Jonathan faulted the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, noting that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in that arm of government.