Reps Reject Emergency Rule Extension

The House of Representatives has explained why it rejected President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for extension of the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States for the third time.
At a briefing yesterday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, said, “Based on Hon. Leo Ogor’s motion, we have not extended the emergency rule, rather we have asked the President to rely on  Section 8 of the Armed Forces Act which empowers him to deploy the military to troubled spots of the country. We relied, on that bearing in mind that if we had approved 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 today, that would have been fourth in the series and 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,” he added.
Mohammed said, “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 desired result, we should be able to change course. “And the armed forces should be empowered to deploy soldiers or members of the armed forces to any troubled point of this country for them to take necessary action. So, I think that is what came out from the executive session we had where this issue was looked at closely.”

Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Amaechi Ogbona (right) in a handshake with one of the Guest Lecturers, Prof Ben Naanen at the 19th Ogoni Martyrs Memorial Lecture organised by MOSOP in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga