Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has condemned the recent suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, describing the action as an over-excessive use of presidential power.
Soyinka, who spoke to an international news outlet, said the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State undermines the spirit of federalism and sets a dangerous precedent.
The renowned playwright argued nike roshe runs cute girls shoes vans high tops that Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution places too much power in the hands of the president, calling for an urgent national dialogue to address the over-centralisation of government.
He stressed that Governor Fubara should be facing a court of law if there are legitimate nike air force 1 07 black cool grey racer blue white concerns, rather than being unilaterally suspended.
“If it is constitutionally right, then I think it is about time we sat down and amended the constitution to make sure it operates as a genuine federal entity,” Soyinka stated.
He added that the overbearing influence of the presidency on state matters is detrimental to Nigeria’s pluralistic nature.
“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,” he said.
Soyinka maintained that the rule of law should have taken precedence over political manoeuvres, insisting that Fubara should be in court, not on suspension.
He expressed concerns that the current system allows the presidency to wield too much power, which poses a risk to democratic governance.
“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 nike ja 1 scratch is a fundamental principle I have always held,” he stated.
The literary icon reiterated his long-standing call for a national conference to reshape the country’s constitutional framework.
According to him, Nigeria needs an authentic people’s constitution that reflects true federalism.
“The federal spirit of association is a cardinal principle and, for that reason, some of us have called again and again for a national conference to really accord ourselves an authentic people’s constitution. Right now, in principle, this action is against the federal imperative,” he added.