Rivers LG poll: Jonathan Cautions Against Political Crisis

Former president Goodluck Jonathan has called on political actors, security agencies, and judiciary to avoid actions that could escalate the ongoing political tension in Rivers State.

Jonathan’s warning came amid the political crisis as a result of the local government election held in the state.

In a statement shared via his Twitter handle on Saturday, Jonathan expressed concern about the political situation in the state, urging all parties to prioritise peace and the stability of democracy.

“The political happenings in Rivers State over the past few days are a cause for serious concern for everyone, especially lovers of democracy and all actors within the peace and security sector of our nation,” Jonathan said.

He mentioned that elections were the foundation of democracy and must be respected as a process that reinforced the trust of citizens in their government.

Jonathan stressed that each election, whether at the national or sub-national level, was vital to the integrity and progress of democracy.

The former president called on all stakeholders, particularly state institutions, to uphold the democratic culture by ensuring peaceful and credible elections.

“Institutions of the state, especially security agencies, must refrain from actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order. Rivers State represents the gateway to the Niger Delta, and a threat to peace in the state could have huge security implications for the region,” he cautioned.

He further urged political actors to exercise caution and be patriotic in their pursuit of political ambitions, warning that the crisis in Rivers State bore a resemblance to the political turmoil experienced in the Old Western Region during Nigeria’s past.

The former president also called on the National Judicial Council to take decisive action against the proliferation of conflicting court orders, particularly those involving concurrent jurisdictions.

According to him, unchecked judicial interference could damage the judiciary’s credibility and undermine democracy.