WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has strongly criticized the federal government’s decision to suspend elected officials in Rivers State, arguing that such actions undermine the principles of federalism. He also warned that declaring a state of emergency in the state sets a dangerous precedent for governance in Nigeria. The controversy arose after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to the suspension of all elected officials. In their place, the president appointed a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs for an initial six-month period. Nigeria’s Over-Centralized System a Major Concern – Soyinka “If this action is constitutionally justified, then it signals an urgent need to amend the constitution to ensure that Nigeria operates as a true federal state,” he stated. Soyinka further stressed that the excessive powers granted to the president have long been a problem, leading to governance structures that do not reflect the diversity and complexity of Nigeria’s multi-ethnic society. “The current system gives the president too much authority, making the federal government overly centralized. This has been a long-standing issue, and it continues to raise concerns about how power is exercised in a pluralistic society like ours,” Soyinka noted. Calls for a National Conference on Federalism “The essence of federalism is the autonomy of states within the union. This latest action by the government contradicts that principle, which is why some of us have repeatedly called for a national conference to develop a truly people-centered constitution,” he said. According to Soyinka, Nigeria’s governance framework needs a complete overhaul to reflect the aspirations of its people and ensure a balance of power between the federal and state governments. While debates over the justification of the state of emergency will likely continue, Soyinka insists that such decisions should not override the foundational principles of democracy and federalism. He warned that failing to address these issues could lead to further political instability and conflicts over governance in the future.
Speaking in an interview with an international news platform, as reported by ThisDay, Soyinka expressed deep concerns about the concentration of power in the presidency, an issue he attributed to the flaws in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
Reiterating his stance on the need for constitutional reforms, Soyinka called for a national dialogue to address Nigeria’s structural and governance challenges. He emphasized that the country’s federalism must be properly defined to prevent arbitrary decisions that could weaken democratic institutions.
Prof Wole Soyinka Spoke At Last! Condemns Rivers Emergency Rule, Calls For Constitutional Review
