State Of Emergency: Senate Backs President Jonathan

Source: EMMA UCHE, THEWILL. - thewillnigeria.com

ABUJA, December 31, (THEWILL) - The Senate Saturday declared that it will support every measure by President Goodluck Jonathan including a declaration of state of emergency to curb the spate of insecurity in Nigeria occasioned by the terrorist attacks of Boko Haram.

The Senate’s backing followed President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in parts of Yobe, Plateau, Borno and Niger States in order to restore public order.

Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in a statement however, said the Senate expects the President to forward the declaration and its details to the National Assembly when it resumes for approval.

President Jonathan had said he would transmit the details of the proclamation to the National Assembly for their necessary action.

THEWILL can however report that under the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended state of emergency does not include dissolution of elected institutions of government.

The Senate he added nonetheless appeals to Nigerians to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to be able to solve the current security challenges, which the Senate believes is temporary, Abaribe added.