President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has faulted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s uncomplimentary remark over the recently declared state of Emergency in Rivers state.
The Presidency also described the remark of Nobel Laurette, Prof. Wole Soyinka over the Emergency Rule as inappropriate.
The duo had criticised President Tinubu declaration of state of Emergency in the oil bearing state as inappropriate and an overreach on the power that the president wields.
While former President Jonathan said the president’s decision has the capacity to scare investors away, Prof Soyinka stated that the decision is a slap on the federalism that the country operates.
Tinubu’s action is “A clear abuse of offices, clear abuse of power,” Jonathan argued.
On March 17, President Tinubu declared the Emergency Rule citing the protracted political conundrum in the state, which he said threatened order and security in the oil rich state.
As part of the Emergency Rule, the President suspended the governor of the state, Siminalaye Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu and members of the state house of Assembly. He also appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff to Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd.) to oversee the affaisr of the state, for six months as Sole Administrator.
The decision has been widely criticised by not a few Nigerians, who claimed the situation in the state, at the time did not warrant Emergency Rule.
Jonathan and Soyinka appear to share similar opinion.
Responding to the two respected leaders, Tinubu said he respected their opinion, noting however that he cannot be swayed by it because he has a country to run.
Tinubu’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by one of his media aides, Temitope Ajayi who said Tinubu’s action saved the state from degenerating into chaos.
According to him, President Tinubu exercised his powers as contained in the 1999 Constitution, saying he would not “ allow any part of the country or state to descend into chaos,” adding that the president’s duty is to protect the country.
Ajayi said, “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.”
Meanwhile, the magazine reports that controversy has continued to trail the National Assembly’s approval of the president’s action, particularly the decision of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives to adopt the Voice Vote option to ratify the Emergency Rule.
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