Emergency Rule Extension: It’s Declaration Of War On Adamawa - Nyako

November 7, 2013



The decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to seek an extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states was sequel to a meeting held with the Security Council on Tuesday. The council asked the president to extend the state of emergency in the three states because of the ongoing attacks of the Boko Haram insurgents on soft targets like schools and villages, LEADERSHIP can now reveal.

But Adamawa State governor Murtala Nyako has faulted Jonathan’s request, saying that any move to extend the current emergency rule in the state is archetypal to declaring war on the people of the state.

The director of press and public affairs to Nyako, Mallam Ahmed Sajoh, made the remark during a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP.

Sajoh said from the outset the emergency rule was conjured in bad faith as the security indices prevailing in the pre-emergency rule days did not warrant its imposition on the state.

He added that the people who have an axe to grind with Governor Nyako should have the courage to openly attack the governor as it is wrong to extend the aggression to the innocent people of the state.

“Those that are fighting Nyako should have the courage to fight him alone but should not drag innocent people of Adamawa into another round of hardship by extending the emergency rule in the state,” Sajoh said. “It is an affront for the federal government to contemplate extending the emergency rule on the state as the one earlier imposed was not justified. We call on the National Assembly to do all they can to protect the innocent people of Adamawa from the wrath of power mongers who want to punish the whole people of Adamawa in order to get at Nyako.”

He added that if the proximity of the state to Borno and Yobe states was one of the factors justifying the extension of the emergency rule, then, other States like Bauchi and Jigawa should also be included.

Meanwhile, many residents of the state said any move to extend the emergency rule in adamawa would be considered as punishment, because the state is currently experiencing peace and tranquillity.