....Former President Goodluck Jonathan has voiced his concerns regarding the recent suspension of elected officials in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, describing the decision as detrimental to Nigeria’s image. 

Jonathan made these remarks while serving as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, expressing disappointment over Tinubu's actions, which he believes jeopardize democratic integrity. 

“This action by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paints the country in a negative light,” Jonathan stated, referring to the recent declaration of a state of emergency in the South-South region. 

Just days earlier, President Tinubu declared a six-month suspension for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. In response to the unrest, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the new administrator to oversee the state’s governance, ensuring that the judicial arm would continue operating within its constitutional framework. 

As Nigeria grapples with the implications of these unprecedented actions, Jonathan’s critique serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between governance and democracy in Africa’s most populous nation.