Guardian JONATHAN SEEKS EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY RULE IN N’EAST Published: Wednesday, 06 November 2013 23:04 Written by From Dele Fanimo (Lagos) and Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) Adamawa says move unfair PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday asked the National Assembly to extend the current emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states by six months. In a letter read to senators by Senate President David Mark at the commencement of the upper legislative chamber’s sitting Wednesday, the President sought permission from the lawmakers to make the extension take effect from November 12, 1213. He explained that although the existing emergency rule had worked, there were still serious threats to security of lives and property in the affected three states. The Senate has only today to debate the request because it is the only legislative day before next Tuesday when the extension is supposed to take effect. Emergency rule was imposed on the three states last May to check the excesses of insurgents to which hundreds of lives have been lost. Jonathan’s letter for the extension of emergency rule, which was addressed to Mark, read in part: “May I respectfully draw attention to the State of Emergency Proclamation 2013, in respect of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states which was approved by the National Assembly. By virtue of the provisions of Section 305 (6) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the proclamation aforementioned will elapse after a period of six months from the date of approval except the period is extended by the National Assembly.” It continued: “As a result of the laudable efforts of our security agencies and the support of the citizens in the affected areas, we have achieved considerable successes in containing the activities of the terrorist elements. However, some security challenges still exist in a few parts. “Consequently, it has become pertinent to request the approval of the Distinguished Senate to consider and approve an extension of the state of emergency for a further period of six months, during which time it is expected that normalcy would have been fully restored. “In view of the foregoing, I most respectfully request the Distinguished Senate to consider and approve by resolution, the extension of the proclamation of the state of emergency.” Reacting to the planned extension of the emergency rule, the Adamawa State government has described the move as unfair. In an electronic mail sent to The Guardian by the spokesman for the state government, Ahmad Sajoh, he said there was no condition to warrant the declaration in the first instance. He said the state government considered the latest move by Jonathan as “an affront to the people of the state and a negative reward for their endurance and co-operation so far.” Sajoh stated further that in the interest of justice and equity, the National Assembly should carefully review the situation on ground and treat each of the affected states on its merit. He added: “It’s not fair for a President to be so disdainful towards the welfare of his people. We condemn any attempt to extend emergency rule in Adamawa State.”
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 09:20:20 +0000
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