Federal lawmakers in the Senate were sharply divided on Tuesday over the Nigerian President’s request for the extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
President Goodluck Jonathan, in his letter to the Senate, explained that despite concerted efforts by his administration to stem the tide of terrorism and insurgency in the affected states, the security challenges that necessitated the proclamation of state of emergency were yet to abate.
After the letter had been read by the Senate President, David Mark, the lawmakers went into a closed-door meeting to discuss the President’s request.
About one and a half hours later, it was obvious that the Senate had not reached an agreement on the matter as the Senate President announced that the discussion would continue on Wednesday.
Some northern lawmakers who spoke to journalists after the Senate proceedings, opposed the extension of emergency rule, saying it has not helped to confront terrorism in the northern part of the country.
Ahmed Lawan of the APC from Yobe State said, “I am totally opposed to it, I believe that after 18 months of the operation of the state of emergency, we should look at another avenue.
“If you have tried something for 18 months and you’re not getting the results, each time you take a dosage of your medication you get worse, it would be stupid of you to continue to take the same dosage.”
Ali Ndume of the PDP from Borno State also said that the people of his state were “clearly against the extension” as it restricts their movement and “allows the insurgents to move freely”.
He added, “The constitution does not restrict the President from deploying troops without necessarily declaring state of emergency.”
The last time President Jonathan made similar request, the lawmakers did not readily approve the extension but eventually acceded to the President’s request after making some demands.
The demands include proper kitting and equipping of troops deployed to tackle the insurgency as well as recruitment of screened and vetted youths into the armed forces.
