BEVERLY HILLS, November 18, (THEWILL) – The Senate Tuesday failed to approve President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for an extension to the emergency rule declared in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, three northeastern states where members of the terrorist group Boko Haram have been carrying out deadly attacks and seizing towns.
Several senators attempted to block the matter from consideration at Tuesday’s plenary with an overwhelming “Nay” when Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, moved a motion requesting the Senate to go into an executive session to consider the Presidential request. However, it took the intervention of a surprised Senate President, Senator David Mark, who insisted that the Senate was bound to consider the President’s request, debate and thereafter approve or disapprove.
After a two-hour executive session, the Senate President announced that the debate on the extension of the emergency rule would continue on Wednesday.
Excerpts of the President’s letter to the Senate dated November 17, 2014, read:
“May I respectfully draw your attention to the State of Emergency Proclamation 2013, in respect of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, which was approved by the National Assembly and extended for a further period of six months by the National Assembly as conveyed by the Clerk of the National Assembly’s letter dated 21st May 2014.
“By virtue of the provisions of Section 305(6)© of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the Proclamation aforementioned will elapse after a period of six months from the date of approval of the National Assembly except the period is extended by the National Assembly.
“It is important to state that despite concerted efforts by this administration to stem the tide of terrorism and insurgency in the affected states, the security challenges that necessitated the Proclamation are yet to abate.
“Consequently, it has become imperative to request the approval of the State for extension of the period for the State of Emergency for a further period of six months.
“In view of the foregoing, I most respectfully request Distinguished Senators to consider and approve by resolution the extension of the Proclamation of the State of Emergency by further period of six months from the date of expiration of the current period.”
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