By Favour Goodness
Ahead of Nov. 6 guber election, the traditional rulers in Anambra state have urged the Attorney general and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to perish the thought of a state of emergency in the state.
A statement on Friday signed by the chairman, Obi Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe,
Eze Chuma Onyia (Deputy Chairman – North Zone), Igwe Engr. S. I. Okafor ( Deputy Chairman – Central Zone), Igwe E.C. Nnabuife (Deputy Chaiman-South Zone) said the gubernatorial election has to hold.
“What the Federal Government has to do to improve the security situation in Anambra state, which for the last seven years has been the best throughout the country, is to deploy more security forces to the state, provide them with necessary equipment and incentivize them by paying the security personnel their allowances promptly and improving their general welfare. What is more, the Federal Government has to provide the security, the resources to engage in intelligence gathering,” they added.
They stressed that If, indeed the statement credited to the Honorable Attorney General and Minister of Justice is a fair summary of the FEC discussions and decision on Anambra state, “it is our considered opinion that the FEC was not properly briefed on the state of affairs in the state.
“True, there have been considerable security challenges in Anambra state in the last two weeks. There have been about twelve casualties from the new wave of violence, including Dr. Chike Akunyili, a medical doctor based in Enugu and husband of the highly regarded former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, OFR.
“Dr Akunyili lost his life on Tuesday, September 29, while returning from Onitsha where the memory of the legendary wife was honoured by the Onitsha branch of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Alumni Association.
“Yet, it cannot by any stretch of the imagination be justified to contemplate
emergency rule in the state on the strength of the 12 violent deaths in the last two or three weeks.
“States like Zamfara, Kaduna, Yobe, Plateau, Niger, Benue, Katsina and Adamawa have lost thousands of people in recent times, yet successful elections have been held in them. The security crises in Niger and Borno have been such that mission aircraft were shut down there. Whole communities are occupied by bandits and terrorists.
“In contrast, life is normal in Anambra state. All schools, markets and business are open. A lot of petrol stations operate for 24 hours. People engage in regular social activities like marriages, funerals and title taking.
“Thousands of vehicles move from places like Onitsha to all parts of the country and beyond day and night without incidents. Political parties are still campaigning for the impending gubernatorial election, mobilizing thousands people to rallies.
Meanwhile, members of the Anambra State House of Assembly have condemned a threat to impose a state of emergency, on the state.
They tasked the AGF to withdraw his threat within 24 hours or they could be compelled to call for his resignation.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Dr Nnamdi Okafor, representing Awka South one, in the Assembly.
In his motion under Matters of Urgent Public Importance on Oct. 7 in Awka, the members observed that the AG had failed in his duties to defend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
Okafor, also the Majority Leader of the House, said that the insecurity situation in Anambra, compared to some other states, did not warrant such a consideration.
“The violence and killings in the state in the past weeks are condemnable, but they are nothing compared to what has been happening in Borno, Kaduna, Jos, Niger, Kebbi and Katsina states.
“These states have not been threatened with a State of Emergency declaration. As representatives of the people, we reject such a threat; we are saying that Anambra does not deserve such.
“The AGF should call for investigation into the causes of insecurity, being experienced in Anambra and take action to prosecute the perpetrators of the violence, rather than issuing threats.’’
Dr Pete Ibida, APGA-Njikoka ll, said that the position taken by the AG was provocative as it had created fears, panic and tension among residents in the state.
“I believe that what is happening is an attempt to blackmail and down play all the efforts of Gov. Willie Obiano in terms of assuring security because he has done well in that area over the past seven years.’’
Mr Onyebuchi Offor, APC-Ekwusigo, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Chief Security Officer of the country, to intervene and direct security agencies to secure the state.
Mr Somtochukwu Udeze, APGA-Ogbaru ll State Constituency urged Gov. Obiano to re-strategise in the area of security and ensure security of life and property in the state.
Reading the resolution, the Speaker, Mr Uche Okafor, urged President Buhari to reinforce the police and security protection for the safety of the people in the state.
