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Reps Approve Emergency Rule In Three States …As Senate Defers Debate To Tuesday
Cross section of participants at the Public Works Maintenance, Orientation programme held at the Ministry of Justice conference hall in Port Harcourt. Photo: Prince Dele Obinna
The House of Representatives in Abuja yesterday approved the request of President Goodluck Jonathan for the extension of state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe for another six months.
Jonathan requested for the extension in a letter to the House on May 13.
The approval followed a three-hour meeting with the Service Chiefs and Heads of Security on the current state of emergency in the three states.
Addressing a news conference, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Zakari Mohammed, said the House voted unanimously for extension for the stability of the country.
Zakari said the Service Chiefs had also assured them that the extension would further consolidate the gains of the past one year period of the rule.
“We were given all the assurances by our Service Chiefs that they are on top of the situation’’, he said.
Rep. Ezekiel Adaji (PDP-Benue), said the House had no option than to approve the President’s request for the extension.
“I think we have no option, we must accept that this is a war and I think we are winning, so let them consolidate’’, he said.
“That is why we need this briefing, we have seen where there are loopholes and we have given them some recommendations.
Rep. Abiodun Balogun (APC-Ogun), said after the briefing, the House discovered that there was need for the extension of the state of emergency in the three states.
He said that it was agreed that the military must also justify the extension granted as the House would not grant another state of emergency after this.
Rep. Nnenna Ukeje (PDP-Abia), said they approved the state of emergency to give the Nigerian army time to do the work they had signed to do.
According to her, the House has shown, with the approval of the extension of emergency rule, the quest to end insurgency in the country.
Parliament did a responsible thing today and that is to extend the state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno.
“We hope that we will curb this insurgence and bring back the Chibok girls and hopefully, put an end to terrorism in Nigeria’’, she said.
Rep. Pally Iraise (APC- Edo), said that any solution proffered to put an end to terrorism in Nigeria was welcome.
“We have given them the extension that they seek; it is now for us to follow up and be sure that whatever needed to be done will be done within this extension.
“In the next three to six months, we want to see an end to this menace of terrorism’’, she said.
The emergency rule was extended for another six months, beginning from Nov. 12, 2013 after same was approved by the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Senate, for the second time, yesterday, deferred debate on the President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for an extension of the State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states for another six months.
The senate postponed debate on the request to next Tuesday after a closed door session with the Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police and the Director General of State Security Service (SSS).
The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, explained that after the closed door session, the Senate resolved to continue debate on the issue on Tuesday.
Ekweremadu said that the Senate would carry out wider consultations with all relevant stakeholders involved to ensure that everyone was carried along.
“The senate met with the service chiefs and we were fully briefed on the operations of the state of emergency in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa over the last 12 months.
“As responsible and patriotic Nigerians, we are looking to ensure that the security in those states improved at the shortest possible time.
“We also agreed to further consult with stakeholders to ensure that everybody would buy into whatever needs be done to secure those states and to defeat insurgency in those states.
“So by Tuesday, we would continue our deliberation on the issue of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
Sen. Hope Uzodinma (PDP-Imo) expressed confidence that all the issues raised by the senators would be resolved when the senate reconvenes next Tuesday.
Uzodinma said:”I am sure by Tuesday, we would get through with it, because between now and Tuesday the leadership of the senate would do more consultations.”
Sen Smart Adeyemi said that most senators were swayed from their initial positions after listening to the briefing by the service chiefs.
“You are taking a decision that is going to affect a particular area. So, we have to take time and investigate what they have said so that we would speak from the point of knowledge.
“When the service chiefs came and spoke at length to us quite a number of senators changed their opinion.
“So, as it is many of the legislators have not really made up their mind as to whether they are going to support it or not.
“But the safety of lives and property is of paramount importance to all of us,”Adeyemi added.
Also speaking, Sen. Ahmed Lawal (APC-Yobe) insisted that,”we are against state of emergency”.
Lawal, however, said that the military should be provided with proper equipment to effectively tackle the crisis.
“What we require is effectiveness and that does not require 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 and recently in Katsina.
“Those states were not under a state of emergency before those operations were conducted.
“And let me tell you insurgency does not end. In Turkey, the PKK insurection is over 30 years; and the FARC uprising in Colombia is over 50 years.
“Insurgency does not 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,”Lawal declared.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.