SAN FRANCISCO, November 19, (THEWILL) –After two days of extensive deliberations on President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to extend the emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, northeastern Nigeria, the Senate Wednesday failed to approve or turn down the request. Instead, the Senate postponed further debate on the matter to Thursday and extended an invitation to all the service chiefs.
The subsisting approval for the current emergency rule in the affected states expires tomorrow (Thursday).
Explaining the development after the over 2 hours closed-door executive session, following a motion by Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (PDP — Cross River Central), Senate President David Mark said, “We had a very robust and exhausting discussion and we will continue tomorrow. The Senate also resolved that we will invite the service chiefs to be part of our discussion by appearing before the Senate.”
THEWILL gathered that most Senators from northern Nigeria have vehemently opposed extending the emergency rule on the premise that it has not helped curtail and contained the Boko Haram which has over the last 18 months violently seized several major towns in the affected north eastern states.
Speaking with journalists after Wednesday’s session, Senators Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe North) and Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South), said they maintained their opposition to the extension of the emergency rule because it has failed to achieve its purpose.
Senator Gaya said before the emergency rule was first approved over 18 months ago, no local governments in the north had fallen to the Boko Haram but however, since the emergency rule was declared 14 local governments from 27 have been seized by the terrorists in Borno State.
“The state of emergency has not worked in those areas. We lost two or three local governments in Yobe State and almost five local governments in Adamawa State. The problem is escalating, Borno camp has the highest number of refugees in Africa, I believe and we have over 25,000 to 30,000 people being paid daily to take their three square meals.
“So we believe there are a lot of questions to be answered by the service chiefs. We can’t just simply grant the state of emergency extension just like that without inviting them to tell us what really happened, because we gave eight conditions before we granted the last request and no condition has been met.
Senator Lawan said: “We are still talking. Once again, I am speaking for myself, I am not speaking for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am speaking as a senator representing Yobe North. We are still discussing the request of Mr. President for extension of the state of emergency. Many of us are opposed to it; I am particularly vehemently opposed to it. I believe that we should explore other avenues but some other people feel differently. The discussion continues tomorrow.”
The senators insisted that the military does not need emergency rule to combat and crush the Boko Haram.
Also, Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who briefed newsmen after the session, said that the Senate also agreed the Senate President Mark should speak with the governors of the three emergency affected states.
Senator Abaribe said: “We agreed that the discussion will continue tomorrow (Thursday). And also for the purposes of having further information, invited the service chiefs to be available tomorrow to also brief us on the efforts that have been ongoing since the declaration of emergency rule.
“We hope we will take a decision tomorrow in the interest of this country.”
He also denied insinuations that Senators were being induced with money to change their minds on the issue describing the claim as “utter rubbish.”
Another Senator who spoke on the matter, Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, said that there appears to be no alternative to the state of emergency.
“Whether rightly or wrongly, there is an alleged genocide. So, people must be properly protected including the President, the Senate and the citizens as well,”
Meanwhile, the Senate President informed Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the screening of senators seeking reelection in the 2015 general elections would take place inside the National Assembly on Thursday as previously announced by the party.
THEWILL recalls that President Jonathan had on November 17, 2014, written to the Senate seeking its an extension to the emergency rule declared in the three north eastern states.
Excerpts of the President’s letter read:
“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 and extended for a further period of six months by the National Assembly as conveyed by the Clerk of the National Assembly’s letter dated 21st May 2014.”
“By virtue of the provisions of Section 305(6)© of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the Proclamation aforementioned will elapse after a period of six months from the date of approval of the National Assembly except the period is extended by the National Assembly.”
“It is important to state that despite concerted efforts by this administration to stem the tide of terrorism and insurgency in the affected states, the security challenges that necessitated the Proclamation are yet to abate.”
“Consequently, it has become imperative to request the approval of the State for extension of the period for the State of Emergency for a further period of six months.”
“In view of the foregoing, I most respectfully request Distinguished Senators to consider and approve by resolution the extension of the Proclamation of the State of Emergency by further period of six months from the date of expiration of the current period.”
