‘Tinubu has a country to govern’ — presidency faults Jonathan, Soyinka over comments on Rivers’ emergency rule

The presidency has faulted the position of Wole Soyinka, Nobel Prize laureate, and former President Goodluck Jonathan on the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers state.

In a statement released on Sunday, Temitope Ajayi, the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, noted that Jonathan and Soyinka had the right to their respective opinions but should recognise that Tinubu has a country to govern.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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 the corporate existence of Nigeria. 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.”

Jonathan had earlier stated that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state is “a clear abuse of office and power.”

Jonathan berated the three arms of the government for what he called an abuse of their power.

On his part, Soyinka said the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state was against the spirit of federalism.

The Nobel laureate, who spoke to The Africa Report, maintained that the declaration of a state of emergency in the manner with which it was carried out betrayed federalism.

According to Soyinka, the 1999 Constitution gives too much power to the president, noting there is a need for a national discussion on the matter.

“If it is constitutionally right, then I think it is about time we sat down and amended the constitution to make sure that it operates as a genuine federal entity,” Soyinka said.

“The government is over-centralised. The debate will go on whether this (state of emergency) was, in the first place, a wise decision but in terms of fundamental principles, I believe that this is against the federal spirit of association.

“I find that the constitution has put too much power in the hands of the president. The system we are operating right now is not the best for a pluralistic society like ours. That is a fundamental principle I have always held.”

He stated that Nigeria must hold a national conference to change the country’s foundation.

“The federal spirit of association is a cardinal principle and, for that reason, some of us have called again and again for a national conference to really accord ourselves an authentic people’s constitution

“Right now, in principle, this action is against the federal imperative.”