By Tonia Okereke
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that it undermines the spirit of federalism.
Tinubu had on Tuesday March 17 declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following the protracted political crisis in the state. He made the proclamation during a nationwide broadcast, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months in the first instance.
Speaking to The Africa Report, Soyinka opined that Nigeria’s constitution grants the president excessive power, with the country’s federal system more centralized than it should be.
Read also: https://frontlinenews.com.ng/state-of-emergency-a-democratic-coup-against-people-of-rivers-state-cupp/
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.
“The debate will go on whether this 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.
“The system we are operating right now is not the best for a pluralistic society like ours. The federal spirit of association is a cardinal principle… right now, in principle, this action is against the federal imperative”.
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