Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has expressed concern that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials in Rivers State damages Nigeria’s reputation.

Speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan voiced disappointment over the removal of elected leaders. He emphasized that such actions by key figures in the executive and legislative branches negatively impact the country’s image.

On the same day, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) backed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers. The party argued that a responsible government must act decisively to prevent a worsening crisis. NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, stated that Tinubu, as Nigeria’s Chief Security Officer, had access to intelligence not available to the public. He added that without intervention, the escalating situation in Rivers could have led to unpredictable consequences. Major also criticized some leaders for failing to de-escalate tensions and instead allowing the crisis to deepen before speaking out.

Jonathan, however, stressed that such political instability discourages investment and erodes trust in Nigeria’s governance. While he acknowledged that former presidents typically avoid commenting on ongoing issues to prevent political tensions, he felt compelled to speak due to widespread calls from Nigerians urging him to address the situation.

Additionally, he criticized the undue influence of individuals over the judiciary, warning that such interference undermines confidence in the legal system.