The Presidency has responded to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s remarks on the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, stating that his opinion is purely personal and does not reflect the reality of the situation.
Speaking through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, the Presidency emphasized that while Jonathan and Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka are highly respected statesmen, their views remain subjective.
"Professor Wole Soyinka and former President Goodluck Jonathan are respected statesmen. Like many Nigerians who have expressed different opinions on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the two distinguished Nigerians have also shared their own views,” Ajayi stated.
The remarks come amidst ongoing debates regarding the necessity and implications of the emergency declaration, which has drawn reactions from various political and civil society figures. However, the Presidency maintains that the decision was made in the best interest of the state and the nation at large, prioritizing law, order, and stability.
While Jonathan and Soyinka’s opinions have been noted, the Presidency insists that governance is guided by facts, constitutional provisions, and the overarching responsibility to protect citizens, rather than personal sentiments.