Governors Oppose Emergency Rule In Northern Nigeria

The 36 state governors, under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, have advised the Federal Government to ignore the ongoing agitation for the declaration of a state of emergency in the North, saying that it could plunge the nation into a deeper crisis.

Also, the opposition governors, under the umbrella of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF, opposed the planned emergency rule, stressing that it was a mere excuse to remove some governors. But the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stated yesterday that the Federal Government had not taken a final decision on the declaration of state of emergency in the states. Distressed by growing security challenges in Nigeria,

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the chairman of the NGF, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the forum said the requests for the imposition of state of emergency “are being made by people who do not wish our country well and who are bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis.”

They called on the Federal Government not to allow itself to be distracted from the collective goal of curbing the insurgency in some parts of the country once and for all. He said: “It is gratifying that government – federal and state – are working hard to get to the root of the killings and nip this orgy of violence in the bud.

We are impressed by the magnanimity of the Federal Government, which has demonstrated an uncommon love for the country by setting up a committee to explore the possibilities of granting amnesty to the members of the Boko Haram sect.

It is also a good step that government has agreed to cooperate fully with the National Human Rights Commission in the investigation of the killings in Baga.”

The NGF, however, condemned the recent violence and killings in some parts of the country which include Borno, Nasarawa, Benue and Adamawa states. It commiserated with the people and government of those states, the security agencies and the families of the victims and pray God to give them and indeed every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.

The governors also applauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s led government for the steps it has taken so far in arresting the insecurity situation in the North, particularly the plans to grant amnesty to the members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

Amaechi said: “While urging security agencies to continue to do their jobs as professionally as possible, we appeal to all aggrieved individuals and groups in Nigeria to appreciate the fact that violence can never be a solution to any problem.

We have no other country to call home and it is important that we understand the danger and futility of destroying our land in the pursuit of a selfish agenda. “We also commend our security agencies for the selfless sacrifice they are making in the interest of us all to restore calm to all parts of our country.

“We urge the Federal Government to continue to support affected states in the bid to check violence. The Federal Government should remain focused and continue to provide leadership until every part of Nigeria is rid of violence and insurgency.”