The speed by which the National Assembly acceded to the request by President Goodluck Jonathan to extend the 12-month emergency rule in the three North-east states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa is astounding. It is as if the lawmakers had made up their mind in cahoots with President Jonathan to extend the emergency rule despite opposition by elders and stakeholders of the affected states.
In view of the presence of foreign security and intelligence experts to assist our forces to combat the menace of terrorism and the concentration of Boko Haram activity in the rural areas of the affected states, many Nigerians were of the view that the emergency rule should have been lifted. The current extension, by the time it is over, would have lasted for 18-month! We hope that the conditions attached to the extension by the Senate would be taken seriously by the Executive. The conditions indicate that the government and its officials have to show results, failing which there would no more extension, because by the time it lapses, the nation would be preparing for general elections.
Those opposed to emergency rule distrust the Jonathan administration on the ground that the federal government sees Boko Haram as a political evil created by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Incidentally, the three states most ravaged by the insurgency belong to APC following the defection of Adamawa governor, Murtala Nyako to the opposition early this year. The APC has also complained about being kept in the dark about the anti-terror efforts of the government. The party was not even consulted about the intention of the President to seek extension of the state of emergency and get the support and blessing of the party. Yet, the ruling party and its agents make much capital about the need for all political actors and Nigerians to close ranks in order to defeat the insurgency.
We urge the President and Commander-in-Chief to make the best use of the present extension granted to him, since there would be no further extension as emergency rule is not synonymous with routing an insurgency. The President should endeavour to command his troops better and try to achieve his objective of stopping the insurgency so that peace can once again return to the nation.
We support the conditions by the Senate to the federal government which have to be met as part of the extension. Of particular interest and significance is the requirement that adequate welfare and sufficient kits and arms be provided for men of the armed forces to combat the insurgents and that fresh recruitment of manpower, especially of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), be embarked upon. Related to the above is that certain top defence and security officials report monthly to the Senate on the progress made in eliminating the terrorists.
If the above conditions are adhered to there should be remarkable improvement in the situation of things in the country with reference to the North-east zone. The success recorded would lay the foundation and provide the enabling environment to pursue general economic development of the area, poverty eradication and promotion and consolidation of education for the youths to ensure that they become better and productive citizens.
We warn, however, that the military should not see the task before them as a money-making venture outside of the legitimate provision made for this purpose by the National Assembly. If the mission continues as it is being seen now by top military and defence officials as an opportunity for corrupt enrichment, then the mission is likely to fail with grave consequences for the already battered image of the armed forces.
