By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Rivers Crisis: Jonathan Slams Abuse of Power by All Three Arms of Government
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
News

Rivers Crisis: Jonathan Slams Abuse of Power by All Three Arms of Government

Muhammad A. Aliyu
By Muhammad A. Aliyu
Published: March 22, 2025
Share
3 Min Read
Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Jonathan
SHARE

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has strongly criticised the handling of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, accusing the executive, legislature, and judiciary of abusing their powers.

Speaking on Saturday at the annual colloquium organised by the Haske Satumari Foundation in Abuja, Jonathan expressed concern over the state of emergency declared in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state’s House of Assembly.

Okay.ng reports that President Bola Tinubu declared the state of emergency on March 18, citing political and security instability. The National Assembly subsequently ratified the decision through a voice vote, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the development.

Jonathan, while addressing the audience, explained why he had been reluctant to comment publicly on the matter but stressed that the actions taken by Nigeria’s leadership were deeply troubling.

- Advertisement -

“As a former president and also from the Niger Delta, when the issue of suspending the governor of Rivers State came up, I think people called on me, President Jonathan and ex-President Obasanjo to say something,” he said.

“People expected us to say something about what was happening. But traditionally, all over the world, former presidents hardly make statements about what the current presidents are doing because of the tension it could create in the country.”

However, Jonathan drew an analogy, likening the situation to an Indian proverb:

“What is happening in Nigeria today regarding the situation in Rivers State is like an Indian proverb that says: ‘If somebody is sleeping, really sleeping, you can easily wake up that person. But if that person is pretending to sleep, you (will) find it difficult to wake up that person’.”

- Advertisement -

He accused the executive, legislature, and judiciary of knowing the right course of action but deliberately choosing to ignore it.

“The key actors in Nigeria, from the executive to the legislature, judiciary and the Senate and the judiciary… they know the correct thing to do. But they are refusing to do it,” Jonathan asserted.

“They are pretending to sleep and waking such a person is extremely difficult because the person knows the right thing. A clear abuse of office and clear abuse of power cutting across from the three arms of government — from the executive to the parliament and the judiciary.”

Jonathan also issued a warning about the lasting consequences of abuse of power, urging those in positions of authority to recognise their collective responsibility in governance.

Okay.ng reports that the former president’s comments come amid growing concerns over the erosion of democratic principles in Nigeria, particularly in the Rivers State crisis, which has attracted widespread criticism from stakeholders across the country.

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:JonathanRivers State
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
ByMuhammad A. Aliyu
Follow:
Muhammad Ameer Aliyu, is a prolific journalist who joined Okay Nigeria in 2015 with the aim staying committed to bringing more positive growth to the digital news platform. He is the Senior Editor at Okay Nigeria.
Previous Article Nigerian Breweries Nigerian Breweries Secures Full Control of Distell, Eyes Wine Market Expansion
Next Article Nollywood Mourns as Veteran Actress Nkechi Nweje Dies After Brief Illness

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,605.00
Sell Rate ₦1,620.00

Last updated: 3 days ago (June 3, 2025 2:33 pm)

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

USD/NGN Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

BREAKING: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, Passes Away at 89
News Top stories
Russia Launches Deadly Drone and Missile Strikes Across Ukraine Following Ukrainian Attacks on Russian Bomber Fleet
International
MTN Nigeria Doubles ICT Industry Average with 41.4% Female Workforce Representation
Top stories
Lagos Commuters Endure Severe Gridlock as Pre-Sallah Activities Paralyze Major Routes
News
Nigeria GDP Growth, Nigeria renewable energy
Sallah 2025: Tinubu’s Economic Optimism and Nationwide Security Measures Highlight Nigeria’s Eid Celebrations
News Top stories
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

News

Tinubu Warns Lagos, States Against Unauthorised Island Approvals, Vows to Revoke Encroachments

Muhammad A. Aliyu
Muhammad A. Aliyu
June 6, 2025
News

Shettima Inaugurates African Medical Centre of Excellence in Abuja, Hails New Era in African Healthcare

Muhammad A. Aliyu
Muhammad A. Aliyu
June 5, 2025
News

Tinubu Pledges Increased Infrastructure Funding, Calls for State-Federal Collaboration on Approvals

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 5, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?