State of Emergency: Buhari regime backs Malami, says IPOB bigger threat than bandits
The Muhammadu Buhari regime says talks of invocation of a state of emergency in Anambra by Attorney General Abubarkar Malami is in order.
The government also brushed off criticisms of the move, claiming that the threats posed by separatist agitators IPOB were more grievous than those of bandits in northern states.
Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, expressed this sentiment on Thursday.
“In the last couple of weeks, IPOB had imposed sit-at-home on the citizens, they did not allow people to go to schools, markets and there are also high profile killings.
“The AGF said yesterday that the government will do whatever it takes to restore law and order in Anambra and the entire South East to ensure that symbols and pillars of democracy are not tampered with.
“The forthcoming election in the state is one of the pillars of democracy
“Those who are criticising the AGF on this, have they thought for one minute what will happen if the election does not take place in Anambra State on Nov. 6?” Mr Mohammed asked.
On Wednesday, Mr Malami, threatened that the Buhari regime would impose a state of emergency in Anambra if the security situation does not improve.
However, governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano, on Thursday, after his meeting with Mr Buhari described such suggestions as “unfortunate.” He argued that northern states which had suffered more violence had not been threatened with invocation of a state of emergency.
But the information minister reckons that what was happening in Anambra presently was not similar to the situation in bandits-ravaged states such as Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina.
“It is a disingenuous argument to say that they have killed more people in Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna than they killed in Anambra,” Mr Mohammed argues.
“What is happening in Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger is criminality and the government will not condone it.”
The minister added that if there is any need to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna States, the government would not hesitate to do so.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Rights
Kuje Threat: APC’s Shekwolo is menace to society, democracy, says Amnesty International
Amnesty International labelled Samuel Shekwolo, the Kuje area council chairman, a threat to democracy and society following the politician’s “vote APC or leave Kuje” remark.
Health
Africa to face six million health workers shortage by 2035, WHO warns
The World Health Organisation says Africa faces a projected shortage of more than six million health professionals by 2035.
Abuja
Course-34: Abbas tasks security leaders on strategic leadership, intellectual curiosity
Navy chief Idi Abbas has charged the outgoing participants of the National Defence College’s Course-34 to remain intellectually curious while leading strategically.
Rights
67 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa
A new batch of 67 Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, via South African Airways on Wednesday night.
Lagos
LAWMA targets 24 Ajah-Lekki facilities for enforcement
LAWMA has identified 24 markets, commercial and institutional facilities along the Ajah-Lekki axis for compliance enforcement.
Sport
NPFL secures $7.5 million EUROMATCH sponsorship
The Nigerian Premier Football League will receive $7.5 million from EUROMATCH under a three-year sponsorship agreement.
