“Jonathan lacks original thinking” – ACN asks N’Assembly to reject emergency rule

by Rachel Ogbu

National Publicity Secretary, Action Congress of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (Punch)
National Publicity Secretary, Action Congress of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (Punch)

Opposition party, Action Congress of Nigeria has insisted that the National Assembly rejects President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, the ACN National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said a state of emergency rule was nothing but a lack in original thinking.

[READ: The Commander-in-Chief: 7 people/groups Jonathan ignored to declare State of Emergency ]

“We hereby reject the declaration of emergency rule in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, and we call on the National Assembly to also reject it and not allow itself to be used to rubber-stamp a declaration that is largely cosmetic,” the ACN  statement read.

‘’If the medicine given to a patient has not cured his or her illness, is it not futile to prescribe more of the same medicine for the patient?

“If the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 local government areas in four states in 2011 has not curbed the activities of the insurgents, why extend such measure to other areas?

“If the use of force in the affected states has failed to curtail the activities of the insurgents, why send in more troops?”

“The President should go ahead and disband the committee he recently inaugurated and saddled with reaching out to the insurgents, because by opting to flood the states with more troops under an ill-advised emergency rule, he has succeeded in pulling the carpet from under the committee’s feet. Who negotiates genuinely with a gun to his head? The committee’s job is over; the members can as well pack up and go home.”

“With the three states militarised, there can neither be electioneering nor voting there. We had warned earlier that as 2015 approaches, the Jonathan administration will increasingly take measures that will make it impossible to hold election in many states.”

“The over militarisation of some states in the north, the plan to destabilise the South-West, using slush funds from the so-called oil pipeline protection contract and the infantile threats from some Niger Delta militants seem to be part of this plan.”

The Punch reports:

One of ACN’s partners in the merger deal, the Congress for Progressive Change, had on Tuesday hailed the emergency rule declared in the three states by Jonathan and asked for support for the measure.

National Publicity of the CPC, Rotimi Fashakin, shortly after the proclamation, said,  “We need to rally round the President in this trying period. We pray that with this action, peace will eventually return to the states.

“However, it is gratifying that the President did not behave like a former President who removed the political structures when he declared a state of emergency in some states.

“The action of President Jonathan has shown that the choice made by the people through the ballot would not be denied them. May God help our country.”

It wondered what the President would do if the declaration of emergency rule failed to stem the violence.

 

Comments (2)

  1. Lai Mohammed should shut is mouth.. He has never supported the president from inception, people like him are not worthy to be called Nigerian’s. He makes stupid comment like a complete illiterate. He should either support the unity of Nigeria or leave Nigeria

  2. State of Emergency: A holistic approach not partial is needed.
    1. I commend the President for mustering the uncommon courage needed to tackle terrorism in some parts of the nation, especially the North.
    2. I share Mr President’s view that terrorists have since changed our national flag to blood, pain and fear.
    3. I completely disagree with those playing politics with terrorist activities, all in the name of scoring political points for their selfish gains.
    4. I also believe that President Jonathan may have acted wrong by allowing Governors of affected states maintain their positions in this emergency rule.
    5. The Governors have proven not to have the capacity or the know-how to stop this everyday blood-letting and apprehension. In my view, they should be replaced with a military administrator, until peace returns.
    6. The battle against terrorism is one for all Nigerians to engage in. Terrorists kill without asking for proof of ID to ascertain tribe and religion.
    7. I however call on Northern Leaders, Youths, Women, etc. to wake up to the reality of this decision by understanding that tough situations require tough measures.
    8. Let me say this categorically clear. THIS IS NOT JONATHAN’S WAR. Boko Haram is a terrorist organisation and should be seen as one.
    9. I offer my prayers to the victims of this madness. Also pray for the repose of the dead souls.
    10. May God bless Nigeria as we heal our land.

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