Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka believes President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State violates the spirit of federalism.
Tinubu declared an emergency in the oil-rich state on Tuesday due to the political crises and instability.
He also suspended the state’s governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all Rivers Assembly members for six months.
The president promptly named retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s sole administrator.
Soyinka told The Africa Report that the Nigerian constitution gives the president too much power.
In response to questions over the declaration’s legitimacy, Soyinka stated that some provisions of the constitution should be amended.
He also said it is debatable if the move was a wise one.
“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,” Soyinka said.
“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 reiterated his call for a national conference which he said would provide an opportunity to “really accord ourselves an authentic people’s constitution”.
“The federal spirit of association is a cardinal principle… right now, in principle, this action is against the federal imperative,” he said.