..says those who should fix Nigeria pretend to be sleeping
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday declared that the federal government’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state parliament paints Nigeria in a bad light.
The former president broke his silence while speaking at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja.
“These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light,” he said.
Jonathan revealed that since the federal government’s action, there had been pressure on him to make a public statement and take a position.
However, he restrained himself, noting that it is a global practice for former presidents to avoid public comments on contentious political issues.
He said, “As a leader from the Niger Delta, people have been reaching out to me for my comment on the political situation in Rivers State.”
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Sounding proverbial, the former president accused relevant arms of government of complacency.
He continued, “The situation in Rivers State is like an Indian proverb, which says that if somebody is truly asleep, you can easily wake him up, but if the person is pretending to sleep, it will be difficult to wake him up.”
“Whatever happens in a country, the decisions taken by the executive arm of government, the parliament, and the judiciary affect everybody.
“Whatever we do affects everyone, and if we must build a nation for our children and grandchildren, no matter how painful it is, we must try to do what is right.”
He decried a situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, saying it erodes trust in the institution.
Jonathan urged leaders to strive to build a society where no one is oppressed, eemphasising hat good leadership involves leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion for social change.
“I believe that it is the hallmark of good leadership and governance to harness the transformative power of diversity, equity, and inclusion for social change.
“As a leader, I have seen how these values can bring people together, foster a sense of belonging, and unlock the full potential of individuals and communities.
“I have also seen how the absence of these values can lead to division, inequality, and social unrest.
“It is, therefore, our responsibility as leaders and change-makers to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion—one that values and respects the dignity and worth of every human being and protects the interests of all,” he said.
and then