Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
According to him, the action betrays the spirit of federalism, adding that such a declaration mirrored how the Constitution put too much power in the hands of the president.
GISTSMATE MEDIA reports that Tinubu, on Tuesday, declared emergency rule in the Niger Delta state, citing a protracted political crisis and instability.
In his nationwide broadcast, Tinubu also suspended state governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and Rivers assembly lawmakers for an initial period of six months.
Consequently, the president appointed a retired naval chief, Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the state’s sole administrator for the period of the emergency rule which was later endorsed by both chambers of the National Assembly.
But Soyinka, while speaking with The Africa Report, said should the president’s action be constitutional, then there is a need to amend its constitution so Nigeria can operate as a genuine federal entity.
He said, “If it is constitutionally right, then I think it is about time we sat down and amended the constitution to make sure that it operates as a genuine federal entity.”
Continuing, the Nobel Laureate said it is debatable if the declaration and suspension of elected officials was a wise one, adding that the government is over-centralised.
“The government is over-centralised. The debate will go on whether this (state of emergency) was, in the first place, a wise decision but in terms of fundamental principles, I believe that this is against the federal spirit of association.
“I find that the constitution has put too much power in the hands of the president. The system we are operating right now is not the best for a pluralistic society like ours. That is a fundamental principle I have always held,” Soyinka further said.
While calling for a national conference, Soyinka said this would provide an opportunity to “really accord ourselves an authentic people’s constitution,” noting that Tinubu’s action “is against the federal imperative.”
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