Senators move against emergency extension Senators yesterday kicked against the extension of state of emergency rule in three North-East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, Daily Trust learnt in Abuja yesterday. President Goodluck Jonathan had forwarded a request for the emergency rule extension but senators from the affected states have vowed to block its passage. Senate president David Mark read a letter from the president dated November 17, 2014, requesting for another extension for a period of six months as according to him, “the security situation is yet to abate.” The letter also read in parts: “Despite concerted efforts by this administration to stem the tide of terrorism and insurgency in the affected state, the security challenges that necessities the proclamation are yet to abate.” After reading the letter, the Senate invoked some of its standing rules to enable it discuss the matter immediately because of “its urgency,” according to Senate leader Victor Ndoma-Egba. As to whether they could discuss the request or not, majority of senators voted against it but were later pacified by Senator Mark who said even if they won’t approve it, nothing stops them from discussing it. However, the chamber immediately became rowdy as lawmakers were seen lobbying which forced the Senate to meet behind closed-doors and discuss the matter for more than two hours. Majority of senators who spoke to reporters expressed their stiff opposition to its passage. Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe) said the states do not need any further extension of emergency. Lawan said the president has powers to deploy troops to tackle any insurrection in all parts of the country under Section 218 of the 1999 constitution without declaration of state of emergency. Senator Babafemi Ojudu (APC, Ekiti) said it is improper to continue to repeat the same thing that has not yielded any positive result for 18 months. “The president should sit down with the Service chiefs and leadership of the National Assembly and find a solution to this problem quickly. Emergency will not solve the problem. It has become routine. Emergency rule locks up people in their houses and insurgents come in and capture them,” Senator Ojudu said. “Even if you are a student and you sit for the same examination three times, people need to ask question. It is either the teacher is bad, or the student is bad. But as the Senate, we can’t say we won’t approve it,” said Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara). For Senator Sahabi Ya’u (PDP, Zamfara), “it is a very difficult situation because we approved it three times and yet it didn’t achieve anything. But at the same time we cannot withdraw it completely. What do we bring in place of emergency rule? This is the dilemma, but we will surely find a solution to it tomorrow.” Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) said since the state of emergency was declared in the three states, it had taken them from bad to worse. --DAILY TRUST
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:42:45 +0000