by Laila Ibrahim

The Senate on Tuesday suspended the consideration Of President Goodluck Jonathan’s letter requesting the extension of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

Shortly after the introduction of the motion by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egbe, the mood among a section of the senate changed.

Some of the senators were obviously against another extension of the emergency in the region.

A swift intervention of the Senate President, David Mark, to ensure consideration of the letter was loudly rebuffed by voice vote.

At that point, the Senate Leader invoked Rule 40 and moved a motion for a closed session, thereby compelling visitors to the chamber to leave.

Speaking after the closed session, Bello Tukur, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, said nothing concrete was achieved from the close session.

“The Senate has adjourned the sitting till tomorrow to consider the letter for the extension of state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe from Mr President, Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.

The state of emergency earlier declared in the region had elapsed on Nov.16.

On his part, Ali Ndume (PDP-Borno) who also spoke after the session, said another extension of a state of emergency should not have been contemplated by the President.

“The situation in the North East region of the country had remained the same even after two of such extensions; so what gives us the conviction that a state of emergency is the solution to the problem,” Ndume said.

YEditor