CIVIL SOCIETY REJECTS INSINUATIONS FOR STATE OF EMERGENCY, CALLS FOR MULTI-STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE, PEACE BUILDING

The civil society has condemned in strongest terms, the recent statement credited to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, on the likelihood of Federal Government declaring a state of emergency in Anambra State, over rising spate of insecurity.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja after a stakeholders’ assessment of preparedness for Anambra November 6, 2021 Governorship election, a group of over 40 INEC accredited Election Observers for the election, stoutly dismissed the suggestion for a State of Emergency in the State.

The release reads “We found it very disturbing and shocking, the statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, of contemplation to impose state of emergency on Anambra State, due to the deteriorating security situation in the area. We are aware that the Section that provides for state of emergency in 1999 constitution (as amended) is Section 305, which empowers the President to issue the declaration by way of official gazette. However two-thirds majority of the National Assembly members must ratify the executive proclamation within two days if the legislators are in session, or ten days if they are not”

“There are numerous posers about the propriety of invoking this constitutional provision. The AG of the Federation should know that state of emergency declaration and implementation is not an executive decision alone. It’s even curious that the state of emergency is not being contemplated for States like Kaduna, Borno, Zamfara, and others where we have had more dangerous state of insecurity up till this moment”

“In Kaduna for instance, people are being killed and maimed in large numbers, on a daily basis yet no such drastic measures has ever been contemplated by the Federal Government”

According to the statement, the situation in Anambra State has not in any way deteriorated to the level envisaged by the Constitution to warrant the application of state of emergency.

“Even if we admit the precarious State of insecurity in Anambra State in recent times, it’s an obvious indictment on the Federal Government, as it has a fundamental constitutional mandate to ensure security and welfare of citizens”

“We therefore implore the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to take up its responsibility by ensuring security and protection of citizens before, during and after the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State,” the statement pleads.

The statement also calls for strategic partnership between the Federal Government, Anambra State Government and the Election Management Body INEC, through, adequate operational logistics funding/support, stakeholders dialogue/peace building mechanisms, while protecting fundamental rights of citizens.

It equally enjoins other patriots to speak up and condemn in strongest terms this curious and suspicious contemplation of a state of emergency.

According to the statement, Mr Malami and his co-travelers should be seriously cautioned and adequately reprimanded by Mr President to forestall any future careless and irresponsible outbursts and schemings.

In the meantime, the group of all Accredited Election Observers for the November Sixth Governorship Election in Anambra State is embarking on massive voter education and election observation activities to ensure a free, credible and peaceful election in the State.

The Leader of the Group, Prince Chris Azor, who disclosed this to newsmen, implored eligible voters to get involved in choosing their leader by coming out enmasse to exercise their franchise. He further asked INEC to ensure adequate voter information and mobilization of the electorate and sundry stakeholders, for inclusive, effective and efficient participation.

Prince Azor submitted that a “No Election Order” would further marginalized our people, socially, politically and economically. He therefore, called on all aggrieved persons to give peace a chance in the interest of sustainable growth and development of Anambra State, and indeed our beloved country, Nigeria.