From Iheanacho Nwosu, Abuja President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged the National Assembly to approve an extension of the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. In a letter to Senate President David Mark and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, the President said the new extension was informed by the security situation in the three states which he said was still bad.
His letter was read on the floor of the two chambers. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who chaired the Senate session, read it at the Upper Legislative Chamber while Tambuwal read that of the House.
If the request is approved by the federal lawmakers, it would be the third time emergency rule in the three states would be extended. A state of emergency was declared there last May, extended in November same year. Another extension comes up this month. The President explained that the security situation in the affected states was “yet to abate.”
President Jonathan’s letter reads: “May I respectfully draw your 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 as amended, the proclamation aforementioned would have elapsed after six months from the date of approval of the National Assembly.
“However, after due consideration of the representations made to the House of Representatives to the effect that, while substantial progress had been made to contain the situation and restore normalcy in the affected states, the security situation that necessitated the proclamation of a State of Emergency was yet to abate.
“It would be recalled that the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had upon consideration of the realities of the security situation in the affected states that had been placed before it, graciously approved by resolution, the extension of the State of Emergency for a further term of six months from the date of expiration of the subsisting period.
“Honourable members, the security situation in the three states remains daunting, albeit to varying degrees, in the face of persistent attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect on civilian and military targets with alarming casualty rates.
“In view of the foregoing, I most respectfully request Honourable members to consider and approve by resolution, the extension of the Proclamation of the State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states by a further term of six months from the date of expiration of the current term”.
Shortly after reading the President’s letter to the House by Tambuwal , a lawmaker,Hon Aliyu Sani Madaki (APC, Kano), came up with Rule 47 of the House, which is on personal explanation, in a bid to oppose Jonathan’s letter.
The Speaker, however, told him to put his explanation in writing and send it to him accordingly. The Speaker subsequently directed the Rules and Business Committee to list the emergency extension request on the Order Paper today for consideration.
Speaking with journalists after plenary, Rep Aminu Suleiman (APC, Kano) said he shared the views of some Nigerians that the state of emergency has achieved nothing so far.
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