By Lawrence Olaoye
Barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan wrote for the approval of the extension of the emergency rule in the three troubled North eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, the Senate President, Sen. David Mark and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha yesterday met with him at the Presidential Villa behind closed doors.
Although details of the parley were not disclosed, it may not be unconnected with the fact that the President would require the enabling law to back his action from the National Assembly.
The emergency rule presently in place in the three states terminates tomorrow (Thursday).
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), who was also at yesterday’s meeting, had on Monday disclosed to State House correspondents that the meeting of the Defence Council reviewed the State of Emergency declared in the three states.
“We just reviewed the state of emergency declared in three states and the Government will be requesting the National Assembly to grant the extension of the emergency rule”, Adoke said.
If the request is granted, it would be the third time President Jonathan would be extending emergency rule in the three states, which had faced the consequences of Boko Haram violent campaign since 2009.
Jonathan had on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 first declared State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, while it has been extended twice, first in November 2013 and May 20 this year.
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