Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka has condemned the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and Bola Tinubu’s subsequent declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
Soyinka argues that the actions are a direct violation of the principles of federalism enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Soyinka described the suspension as an unprecedented move that undermines the autonomy of state governments and the very fabric of Nigeria’s federal system.
Soyinka called for a critical revision of Nigeria’s constitution, specifically to limit the scope of the president’s powers.
He stressed that such constitutional amendments should be aimed at preventing the centralization of authority, which he argued could lead to authoritarianism.
His words,”This suspension, coupled with the declaration of a state of emergency, is fundamentally against the spirit of federalism.
“The president’s unchecked powers have led to an imbalance in the governance system, and the recent events in Rivers State exemplify the dangers of this concentration of power.”
