Expectations were high that when federal lawmakers resumed on Wednesday they would address the emergency rule which President Goodluck Jonathan declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States on Tuesday.

However, lawmakers in both chambers – the Senate and House of Representatives – made no mention of the matter during the plenary sessions on Wednesday.

This is despite the stipulation of the Section 305 of the Constitution which states that the President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the official gazette of the government of the federation, containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The same section states that the letter should reach the federal lawmakers within two days when the National Assembly is in session.

This did not stop some lawmakers from expressing their opinions on the state of emergency as they gave mixed reactions in the interviews with Channels Television.

No difference

While some lawmakers described the emergency rule declared as a positive development, others said the emergency rule would not make any difference and called for caution.

Senator Victor Lar from Plateau State who has had first-hand experience of living in a state under emergency rule was not optimistic of the President’s actions in the northeastern states.