Former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan has warned security agencies in Rivers State against any action that could lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state.
The former president issued the warning in a statement on Saturday in reaction to the political crisis rocking the state.
The crisis sparked by the conflict between Governor Siminarai Hubara and his estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, recently took a new turn over the conduct of the ongoing local government elections in the state.
While Wike and his supporters cited a Federal Court ruling to argue that Saturday’s elections should not go ahead, Hubara said there was no turning back from the elections.
Newspaper Pledge reported that elections are currently underway in all local governments despite tensions in the state. Reacting to the crisis, Jonathan said in a statement under his official authority:
Democracy is our common good and its growth and progress depends on government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and always pursue the interests of peace and justice,” he added.
Jonathan further warned that state institutions, especially security agencies, must refrain from actions that could lead to the breakdown of law and order.
An excerpt from the statement reads: “Rivers State serves as the gateway to the Niger Delta and any threat to peace in the state could have enormous implications for regional security.
I would like to issue a warning to all political actors in the midst of this crisis to be prudent and patriotic in pursuing their political ambitions and importance. “I call on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to take steps to curb the proliferation of court orders and judgments, especially those that render contradictory rulings. If left unchecked, they will make a mockery of the judicial system and derail our democracy.
“The political situation in Rivers State reflects the crisis of our past, the old Western Region. I therefore warn against using Rivers as a crystal to form a block that will disintegrate our democracy.
“State institutions, especially the police and judiciary and all other stakeholders must always work in the public interest and promote the common interests of peace, justice and equality.”