REPS To Vote On Extension Of State Of Emergency In Borno, Yobe, Adamawa Today
Adetokunbo Fakeye with agency report.
House of Representatives will today vote on the extension of state of emergency in Adamawa , Borno and Yobe states, News Agency of Nigeria reported.
President Goodluck Jonathan had in a letter to the House on May 13, requested for the extension of the state of emergency in the three states for another six months.
Rt. Hon. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal yesterday announced during plenary session after contributions by some members on the issue that the matter would be put to vote.
He said service chiefs would also brief the House before the commencement of voting.
Earlier, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, the Majority Leader of House said that the House on Nov. 20, 2013 considered and approved the extension of state of emergency in the three states.
“The provisions of Section 305 (6) (c) of the Constitution as amended will elapse after a period of six months from the date of approval, she said, except the period was extended by the National Assembly, adding, the National Assembly may, before the expiration of the period of six months, extend the period for the proclamation of the state of emergency to remain in force from time to time.”
Rep. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), who supported the extension, however, said that after one year, the emergency rule had not yielded the desired results.
He said that “as long as the military is not well equipped to confront the insurgents, the request for extension of state of emergency will continue.”
Rep. Adams Jagaba ( PDP-Kaduna) urged members to support the extension request by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said any rejection by the House would send wrong signal to the international community that had volunteered to help.
Rep. Bashir Adamu ( PDP-Jigawa) said that the extension of the state of emergency would enhance the ongoing military operations in the affected states.
Rep. Toby Okechukwu ( PDP-Enugu) said that due to the efforts of the military, members of the Boko Haram sect had withdrawn from attacking Borno towns and gone for soft targets.
He advised that the request for the emergency rule be devoid of politics.
Rep. Goni Lawan (APC-Yobe), who spoke on behalf of other three members from the state, said the people and governments of the state were opposed to the extension of the emergency rule.
He said “in spite of the emergency rule in place, schools in the states were attacked and people were being killed.”
Rep. Emmanuel Jime (APC-Benue) said there had been failures and successes under the rule.
He added that there was no need for any request as the Anti-terrorism Act empowered the president to fight terrorism without going through the National Assembly.
Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos), said the president had power to deploy the military and there was no need for the request.
Rep. Andrew Uchendu (APC-Rivers) suggested a meeting of the leadership of the National Assembly with the President to fashion out a workable way of checking terrorism in the country.
