Jonathan Breaks Silence on Rivers LG Election Crisis

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has spoken out on the local government elections in Rivers State, calling for calm and warning politicians to prioritize democracy. Jonathan's statement comes as state institutions and electoral violence are accused of politicizing the process. The Rivers State local government elections have been controversial, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, on opposite sides. Wike's faction in the PDP boycotted the poll because of court orders. The faction is accused of working with state institutions to stop the local election. Jonathan told politicians to be calm. He said that elections are essential for people's faith in their country. He said state institutions, especially security agencies, must not cause law and order to break down. His statement reads: The local government election in Rivers State today, October 5, is a big deal for politicians. The recent political events in Rivers State are a cause for concern for everyone, especially those who support democracy and those who work to keep our nation safe. Elections are the foundation of democracy. This process lets citizens have a say in who governs them. All elections are important because they help democracy. All stakeholders, especially state institutions, must work to promote democracy through periodic elections. Democracy depends on governments doing what is right and pursuing peace and justice. The state's security agencies must keep the peace. Rivers State is the gateway to the Niger Delta. If peace is threatened in Rivers State, it could have substantial regional security implications. I urge all political actors in this crisis to be careful and patriotic in pursuing power. I am calling on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to stop court orders and judgments from being made when they don't need to be. If we don't stop it, people will think the courts are a joke, and our democracy will fail. The political situation in Rivers State is similar to the crisis of the Old Western Region. I warn that Rivers should not be used to collapse our democracy. State institutions must work for the public interest and promote the common good.