The Senate has deferred the debate on whether to approve the request for
the extension of the state of emergency in three Northern State till next week.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said senators had fruitful
deliberation with the security chiefs yesterday on the matter.
He said, “As responsible and patriotic Nigerians, we are looking at it
from very diverse angles to ensure that the security situation in those states
improve at the shortest possible time.
“The Senate also agreed to do further consultation with all the
necessary stakeholders to ensure that everybody could buy into whatever that is
needed to be done to secure those states and defeat insurgents there.
“This is what transpired at our closed-door session. So by Tuesday next
week, we will continue our deliberation on the state of emergency and
insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.”
A Senator from Yobe State, Ahmed Lawan, however maintained the position
of the Northern senators that they would vote against the request by Jonathan.
Lawan said, “We are against a state of emergency. What we require is
effectiveness of those (military) who are there and that does not require a
state of emergency. What we need to do is to ensure that whatever resources are
appropriated are utilised properly.
“The military had conducted very massive operations in
Nasarawa, Benue, Zamfara states and recently in Katsina
State. Those states were not under a state of emergency before those operations
were conducted.
“Let me tell you, insurgency does not end. In Turkey, it’s been’, over
30 years, in Pakistan and Colombia, its over 50 years. Insurgency doesn’t end.
“What you need to do is to continue to get the right arms and
re-strategise until you get to the situation where people would feel better.
And you don’t have to be under a state of emergency.”
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