The Senate has declared that it is in total support of the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
Senate’s Spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya made this known moments after President Goodluck Jonathan declared emergency rule in those states.
He said the Senate would not hesitate to approve of the request when it is received.
“The Senate will always align with any measure that would bring about peace in the land, particularly any measure that would bring to an end the current wave of terrorists insurgency,” the spokesman said.
Also backing the declaration is the Governor of Yobe State, one of the states affected, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, who said he welcomes the measure since it could lead to peace in the state.

Gaidam said that the reasons for the president’s action was clear and could not be wished away.
In a press statement by his Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego, the governor said: “Over the past few years, the problems of insurgency and criminality in Yobe State and other parts of the north have led to many deaths and injuries and caused untold hardship to millions of innocent people. The Yobe State Government, under His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, has done and continues to do everything within its power to ensure peace and security and support the security agencies in their task of protecting life and property.
“As everyone knows, there is no alternative to peace. The Yobe State Government therefore agrees with Mr. President on the need to take more effective measures to address the problem of insecurity in the country. The good people of Yobe State should note, however, that the proclamation of a State of Emergency by Mr. President does not affect the political structures in the state.”

The release further said, “The State Government under His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam will remain focused and committed in the ongoing task of transforming the state through the provision of much-needed social services. His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam therefore calls on the people of the State to continue with their usual support to and cooperation with security agents, support that had proved critical in bringing about the relative peace that the state has enjoyed over the past many months.
“His Excellency the Governor also calls on people to go about their normal and legitimate businesses and to report any suspicious movements in their areas to security agents. The Governor assures the public that the State Government will continue to work closely with the security agents and will ensure that their conduct reflects the spirit of the emergency declaration by Mr. President and the rules of engagement specified for that purpose. His Excellency Governor Gaidam also calls on the people not to relent in praying to the Almighty God for the restoration of peace and security in Yobe State and the country in general.”
Lawyer, politician and human rights activist, Mr. Festus Keyamo has backed President Jonathan’s declaration of a declaration of a state of emergency saying, “it is a step that has long been overdue.”
Part of Keyamo’s statement reads, “The bloodletting in these States left the President with no other option but to take this extraordinary step. This step must be appreciated in the light of the refusal of the insurgents to even dialogue with the Federal Government.
The primary duty of any Government is to protect lives and properties and it is only right that government should dig deep to find a lasting solution to this ceaseless carnage.
However, there are strong caveats we must issue to government in respect of this extraordinary action:
That government must not in any way politicize this action. It is constitutionally correct that the President did not attempt to suspend the Governors from office as nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) gives him such a power. What Obasanjo did in the past in suspending Governors through a declaration of a State of Emergency was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void. Unfortunately, none of the Governors had the mettle to challenge him in court.
That the military must be careful at all times not to trample on the fundamental rights of innocent citizens in these States, so that they do not become the scourge rather than solution.
The President must follow all the steps required in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended to legitimize his action.
That the moment calm is restored, the troops must return to the barracks so as not to give the military unholy ideas about their role in our democracy. We all owe it a duty to assist government to restore law and order in the country. It is for our overall benefit.”
Source: THEWILL