Ahead of the local government election Saturday October 5, 2024, in Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers State, former President Goodluck Jonathan has invoked his popular doctrine to eschew violence in the conduct of the polls.
Jonathan, the first Nigerian incumbent leader to surrender power to the opposition in 2015 noted that elections were the cornerstone of democracy and the primary source of legitimacy of constitutional administrations.
When he lost the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria as an incumbent, Jonathan famously said that “no one’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen. This is my personal philosophy, and this is why I am advancing democracy everywhere I can.”
In re-echoing similar sentiments, the former president observed that recent political developments in Rivers State in the past days “is a cause for serious concern for everyone, especially lovers of democracy and all actors within the peace and security sector of our nation” and warned against political intolerance among different factions that undermine the stability of the state.
It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, he maintained, 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 are dependent on government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue the interest of peace and justice at all times.
Former Governor of Rivers State, Wike and incumbent Governor Fubara
Institutions of the state, especially security agencies must refrain from actions that could lead to breakdown of law and order, he stated.
According to President Jonathan, Rivers State represents the gateway to the Niger Delta and threat to peace in the state could have huge security implications in the region.
He enjoined all political actors in the protracted political crisis in the state to be circumspect and patriotic in the pursuit of their political ambition and relevance.
The former Nigerian leader called on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to take action that would curb the proliferation of court orders and judgements, especially those of concurrent jurisdiction giving conflicting orders. This, if not checked, he concluded, would ridicule the institution of the judiciary and derail our democracy.
Drawing from lessons of history, Jonathan recalled that the political situation in Rivers State, mirrors the crisis of the Old Western Region and warned that Rivers should not be used as crystal that will form the block that will collapse our democracy.
He reiterated that state institutions especially the police and the judiciary and all other stakeholders must always work for public interest and promote common good such as peace, justice and equality.
