The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, on Wednesday threw his support behind President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for emergency rule extension in some states in the north.
Aliyu said: “There is a need to declare an emergency so that certain things can be covered properly.”
Dr. Aliyu made this known after he was screened for the senatorial position at the state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party in Minna.
He said the declaration of an emergency does not mean getting rid of the political institutions but to tackle certain issues.
He explained: “There are many reasons why and I know when people say ‘why declare emergency’.
“That is not the only issue.
“It is not what people expect that when you declare an emergency, you must get rid of the political institutions or do that and that.
“But that, if you remember, this is guerilla war.
“This is terrorism.
“There are rules and regulations of engagement and fortunately for terrorists, they do not respect these rules, but as a government institution, we must respect rules, which we have signed either at the United Nations level or rules as established by International Court of Justice and others.”
Governor Aliyu, while calling on the government to protect the institutions and the rules and regulations, warned that if certain measures were not taken, the country may have more difficulties.
Accordingly, he said: “Where you really need to fight some people, there is a need for you to declare an emergency so that certain things that are there on the ground will be covered properly.
“If you just leave it at that, then you are liable not only to human rights but to other problems that may come up.
“So, that is the issue of the declaration.
“I know there is a misconception as to the purpose of the declaration of emergency.
“But mainly, for me, it’s that since the fight or war is on, the government and people of Nigeria on one side need to protect the institutions and the rules and regulations.”
It should be noted that President Jonathan is seeking an extension for the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, which have been under attacks by the insurgents.
Governor Aliyu also said he is very optimistic of victory for a seat at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly come 2015.
He said: “Oh my God!
“As an individual I feel very confident.
“But an individual who is tempered by the belief system that God does everything.
“And I have been begging God to make sure that I succeed.
“And I have the believe that I will succeed.”