House Of Reps Rejects Extension Of Emergency Rule

THE presidential request for the extension of state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states was rejected yesterday in the House of Representatives.

The Senate also failed to take a stand on the request, following the invasion of the National Assembly’s complex by policemen.

After an executive session yesterday, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs Zakari Mohammed gave reasons for the rejection.

He said: “Based on Hon. Leo Ogor’s motion, we have not extended the emergency rule. Rather, we have asked the President to rely on the Section 8 of the Armed Forces Act, which empowers him to deploy the military to troubled spots.

“We relied on that, bearing in mind that if we had approve this today, it would have been the fourth in the series.

“You remember emergency rule started in May, 2013 and therefore, we have done three extensions. If we had extended it again today, that would have been the fourth in the series. And in anything you are doing, you should be able to take stock to be able to see whether or not that action you are taking is yielding results.

“We would be doing more good if Mr. President relies on that more because, if we are adopting a particular stand and is not giving us the desired result, we should be able to change course.

“ So, I think that is what we came out from the executive session we had, where this issue was looked at closely.”

Zakari said other sessions have buttressed the fact that that lawmakers were tired of the emergency rule since it was not yielding results.

He said this also informed the motion moved by Hon. Leo Ogor, “to at least for him ( President)  to explore constitutional provisions, rather than emergency rule.”

“Emergency rule is expected to elapse today (yesterday) and if the House is in session, it means that you need just two days before you renew it. But if you are not in session, you can wait for 10 days maximum to be able to effect it,” Zakari said.