Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has warned
security agencies in Rivers State against any move that could lead to a
breakdown of law and order in the state.
The former President gave the warning in a statement on
Saturday while reacting to the political crisis rocking the state.
The crisis birthed by the face-off between Governor
Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, took a new turn
recently over the conduct of the ongoing local government elections in the
state.
While Wike and his loyalists insisted that the election must
not hold on Saturday, citing a judgement by the Federal High Court, Fubara said
there was no going back on the poll.
Amid tension in the state, the
election is currently ongoing in all the local government areas.
Reacting to the crisis, Jonathan in a statement on his
official X handle, declared that it is the responsibility of all stakeholders,
“especially state institutions, to work towards the promotion of sound
democratic culture of which periodic election stands as a noble virtue”.
“Democracy is our collective asset, its growth and progress
is dependent on governments commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue the
interest of peace and justice at all times,” he added.
Jonathan further warned that state institutions, “especially
security agencies, must refrain from actions that could lead to breakdown of
law and order”.
Parts of the statement reads: “Rivers State represents the
gateway to the Niger Delta and threat to peace in the state could have huge
security implications in the region.
“Let me sound a note of caution to all political actors in
this crisis to be circumspect and patriotic in the pursuit of their political
ambition and relevance.
“I am calling on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to
take action that will curb the proliferation of court orders and judgements,
especially those of concurrent jurisdiction giving conflicting orders. This, if
not checked, will ridicule the institution of the judiciary and derail our
democracy.
“The political situation in Rivers State, mirrors our past,
the crisis of the Old Western Region. I, therefore, warn that Rivers should not
be used as crystal that will form the block that will collapse our democracy.
“State institutions especially the police and the judiciary
and all other stakeholders must always work for public interest and promote
common goods such as peace, justice and equality.”
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