Compromised Judiciary, poor governance tarnishing Nigeria’s reputation — Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that a compromised judiciary and weak governance discourage investment and tarnish Nigeria’s global image.

Speaking at the Haske Satumari Foundation’s annual colloquium in Abuja, which focused on social development through diversity, equity, and inclusion, Jonathan criticized the actions of political leaders, stating that decisions made by the executive, legislature, and judiciary shape how Nigeria is perceived internationally.

“No serious investor will bring their money into a country where the judiciary is compromised—where government officials can dictate court judgments,” he stated.

Referring to the political crisis in Rivers State, Jonathan quoted an Indian proverb: “If someone is truly asleep, you can wake them up. But if someone is pretending to be asleep, waking them up becomes impossible.” He lamented that key actors in Nigeria’s governance structures know the right thing to do but deliberately refuse to act.

The former president highlighted widespread abuse of power across all branches of government, stressing that governance decisions have far-reaching consequences.

“I always remind people that the actions of those in power affect everyone. Sometimes, people act as if their decisions have no personal consequences. But no one wants to invest in an environment where their financial assets are at risk,” he added.

Jonathan argued that Nigeria’s negative global perception is driven more by governance failures than by crimes such as cyber fraud.

“Many assume our poor reputation is only due to fraudsters like ‘Yahoo boys’ or the 419 scam. While such activities play a role, they are not the only factor. If we truly want to build a nation where our children and grandchildren can thrive, we must be willing to make sacrifices. Doing the right thing may come at a cost, but we must be prepared to pay the price.”

On the debate surrounding a state of emergency in Rivers State, Jonathan declined to comment directly.

“There is often an expectation that former presidents must comment on the actions of sitting presidents. However, traditionally, former leaders around the world rarely issue public statements on the decisions of their successors because of the potential tensions such remarks could create,” he explained, citing the United States as an example where ex-presidents refrain from interfering in governance.

The event also featured remarks from the founder of the Haske Satumari Foundation, Kudla Satumari, who emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in national development. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Plateau State University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Shedrach Best, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the need for equity in governance.

Kenyan Senator Crystal Asige, delivering the keynote address, highlighted the systemic barriers preventing persons with disabilities (PWDs) from fully participating in politics and economic life. She noted that despite legal frameworks promoting inclusivity, enforcement remains weak, leaving PWDs marginalized across various sectors.