Rivers Crisis: Jonathan faults conflicting judgments, cautions against derailing democracy
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned against the derailment of the country’s democracy owing to the crisis over the local government election in Rivers State.
Rivers has been in the news months now owing to the council polls, culminating in a court verdict barring the police from providing security for the election while also ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to release the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
But in a statement he released on Saturday, Jonathan warned that if not resolved, the crisis in Rivers may collapse the country’s democracy.
His words: “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 good such as peace, justice, and equality.
“I am aware that the local government election taking place in Rivers State today (yesterday), October 5, has been a subject of great interest to political actors. Political happenings in Rivers State in the past few 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 are dependent on government commitment to uphold the rule of law and pursue the interest of peace and justice at all times,” he cautioned
Jonathan called on the “National Judicial Commission (NJC) to take action that will curb the proliferation of court orders and judgments, especially those of concurrent jurisdiction giving conflicting orders. This, if not checked, will ridicule the institution of the judiciary and derail our democracy.”
