Map of the West African state of Nigeria where unrest continues in the north of the country. A bomb explosion targeted police on December 13, 2011 in Maiduguri., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Govs oppose emergency rule in northern states, condemn killings
MONDAY, 13 MAY 2013 00:00
FROM MUYIWA ADEYEMI(ADO-EKITI) KELVIN EBIRI (PORT HARCOURT) AND KARLS TSOKAR (ABUJA) NEWS
Nigerian Guardian
• I ’ll seek re-election as NGF’s chair, says Amaechi
SHOCKED at the call for the declaration of a state of emergency in some northern states, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has appealed to the Federal Government to consider those behind the clamour as enemies of the country.
The governors also condemned the killing of security men and others in Nasarawa, Borno, Benue and Adamawa states.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NGF and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has disclosed that he would seek re-election as head of the group.
In the same vein, governors under the aegis of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Monday cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan against the purported plan to declare state of emergency in Borno, Nasarawa and Yobe states.
Amaechi said the call on the Federal Government to ignore the ongoing agitation for emergency rule in some northern states had become expedient because “these requests are being made by people who do not wish our country well and who are bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis.”
In a statement made available to The Guardian Monday in Abuja which reads in part: “We in the NGF hereby condemn the recent violence and killings in some parts of our country – Borno, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa and some other states.”
“We also commiserate with the people and government of those states, our security agencies and the families of the victims and pray God to give them and indeed every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.”
While commending the security agencies for the selfless sacrifice they are making in the interest of all Nigerians to restore calm to all parts of the country, Amaechi also urged them to continue to do their jobs as professionally as possible.
He added: “We appeal to all aggrieved individuals and groups in Nigeria to appreciate the fact that violence can never be a solution to any problem. We have no other country to call home and it is important that we understand the danger and futility of destroying our land in the pursuit of a selfish agenda.”
The statement also read that both federal and state governments are working hard to get to the root of the killings and nip this orgy of violence in the bud. “We are impressed by the magnanimity of the Federal Government, which has demonstrated an uncommon love for the country by setting up a committee to explore the possibilities of granting amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect.”
Amaechi, who expressed optimism that his current political challenges would soon fizzle away, also revealed that the state government would by August conclude work on the state’s own power grid around Port Harcourt to save the residents of the city from the excruciating agony of epileptic power supply.
The governor told a delegation of the Catholic laity led by Most. Rev. Camilius Etokudo, Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, that the past few weeks have been quite challenging and difficult for him. The governor said he required the church’s prayers as he prepares to seek re-election as chairman of the NGF.
“Like a whirlwind, it will soon blow over. Like I told my friends, I will run, nobody will stop me from running, whether I win or not, it’s a different thing, but I will insist on running”, Amaechi added.
The PGF in a statement signed by Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said declaring state of emergency in those states would be counter-productive and would rather exacerbate the crises.
They, however, advised the Presidency to await the report of the panel set up to look into the possibility of solving the problem through dialogue and granting of amnesty to the terrorist groups.
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