Senate defers emergency rule extension approval in three states

Senate on Tuesday deferred approval for the extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states till Wednesday after heated closed door meeting among the Senators which lasted for over one hour.

Senate President David Mark had read President Goodluck Jonathan’s letter requesting for the extension of the state of emergency in the three states.

Announcing the outcome of closed session, Mark said the senators have met and discussed on extension of emergency rule and Senators will continue the discuss bytomorrow.

The President letter reads,” by virtue of the provision of section 305(6)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the proclamation aforementioned will elapse after a period is extended by 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 state emergency for a further period of six months”.

Speaking separately with newsmen, some lawmakers said there was no need for the extension of emergency rule that has been in place in the North East for the past one-half years, arguing that it has taken the region from bad to worse.

Senator Ali Ndume said that the Boko-Haram continue to gain more territory under emergency rule, insisting that his people are totally against extension of emergency rule.

Lamenting, he said Senate increased Defence budget but nothing come out of it, Senate approved $1 billion loan to buy arms in order to fight insurgency the story is still the same.

According to him, “We have increased budget, approved $1 billion loan, there is no result, the constitution empowers President to deploy soldiers without declaring state of emergency”.

Also reacting, Senator Ahmad  argued there were many options for the President to tackle the insurgency rather than declaring emergency rule, adding the extension of emergency is only a waste of time.

It will be recalled that the emergency rule has been extended two times and the latest letter will be the third time that President Jonathan will request for extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.