Jonathan writes Senate on emergency rule extension in Yobe, Borno, Adamawa

…as upper chamber confirms Mohammed as CJN

President Goodluck Jonathan has formally written the Senate to extend the emergency rule in the three North East states of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno.

The National Defence Council in a meeting presided by President Goodluck Jonathan had on Monday okayed extension of emergency rule in the three states.

The letter which was read by Senate President David Mark dated November 17, 2014 is entitled, ‘Re: extension of the period for the proclamation of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states’.

It 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 and extended for a further period of six months by the National Assembly as conveyed by the clerk of the National Assembly dated 21st of May, 2014.

“By virtue of provisions of sections 305, sub-section 6C 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 Senate 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 a further period of six months from the date of expiration of the current period.

“I look forward distinguished Senate president to the usual kind expeditious consideration of the above request by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

Shortly after reading the letter, the senators went into closed door session to consider the request.

The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Mahmud Mohammed for appointment as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

It is expected that the extension of the emergency rule would not lead to the suspension of democratic structures in the states as the governors of the three states and the Houses of Assembly would still function and perform their constitutional roles.

The emergency rule which is currently running in the three states would expire on Thursday, November 20.

If the request is granted, it would be the third time Jonathan would be extending state of emergency in the three states which has been under attack by the Boko Haram sect. The sect’s attacks have led to loss of lives and destruction of valuable properties.

Jonathan had on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 first declared state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states while it has been extended twice, first in November 2013 and May, this year.

While declaring the state of emergency in a broadcast to the nation in May 2013, Jonathan said the action was an attempt to check the increasingly violent attacks by the insurgents, saying the level of violence called for extraordinary measures.

In attendance at Monday’s National Defence Council meeting were all the service chiefs, including chief of defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; chief of army staff, Lieutenant-General Kenneth Minimah; chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin and chief of air staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

Also at the meeting were the minister of defence, Aliyu Gusau; inspector general of police, Suleiman Abba, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE