ECOWAS Parliament backs FG’s declaration of state of emergency in three states

The ECOWAS Parliament on Friday in Abuja expressed support for the Federal Government’s declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.
The speaker of the parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, expressed the support when he paid a courtesy visit on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru.
The speaker said Nigeria’s fight against insurgents in the country would facilitate the fight against terrorism in the sub-region.
He said: “We support Nigeria in the decision taken to fight terrorism because this will also contain terrorism in the sub-region.”
Ekweremadu added that the visit was an opportunity to seek the Federal Government’s support in the parliament’s quest for enhanced powers.
He noted that the parliament had grown sufficiently well to function beyond acting as an advisory body.
Responding, the minister pledged Nigeria’s support for enhancement of the parliament’s powers.
Ashiru, who said that Nigeria’s fight against insurgents would enhance security in the sub-region, reiterated government’s resolve to fight terrorism in the West African sub-region.
“Wherever insurgents exist, we will flush them out,” the minister said. “We should not allow terrorism in West Africa and we are doing everything possible to ensure that it does not exist.”
He gave the assurance that the Federal Government would continue to work with the parliament to ensure that ECOWAS Protocols are followed to the letter.
“Nigeria will be in the forefront to ensure full implementation of the protocols,” he said.
NAN.