Goodluck Jonathan, a former president, has issued a warning about the country’s democracy collapsing because of the controversy surrounding the Rivers State local government election.
Rivers has been in the news for a few months now because of the local elections. A court decision had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withhold voter registration from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). It prohibited the police from providing election protection.
However, Jonathan warneded in a statement he made on Saturday that the Rivers problem may bring about the collapse of the nation’s democracy if it is not handled.
“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,” the former president said.
“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.”
I am aware that the local government election taking place in Rivers State today, October 5, has been a subject of great interest to political actors.
The political happenings in Rivers State in the past days is a cause for serious concern…
— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) October 5, 2024
He said the “political happenings 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.
“Elections are the cornerstone of democracy because they are the primary source of legitimacy. This process renews the faith of citizens in their country as it affords them the opportunity to have a say in who governs them.
“Every election is significant, whether at national or sub-national levels as it counts as a gain and honour to democracy.”
“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, especially state institutions, to work towards the promotion of a sound democratic culture of which periodic election stands as a noble virtue.”
“Democracy is our collective asset, its growth and progress is dependent on government commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue the interest of peace and justice at all times.”
Jonathan called 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.”
