PDP Commends the National Assembly for Endorsing State of Emergency

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has applauded the National Assembly for the unanimous approval of the declaration of state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States despite contrary stands held by some leaders of the opposition.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, said in a statement, Wednesday, that in endorsing the declaration, members of the National Assembly have once again demonstrated that national interest must at all times be placed higher and above partisan and sectional considerations.

“The PDP commends the leadership and members of the National Assembly for adopting a patriotic stance on the declaration of state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states by the President despite pressure mounted on them by some opposition leaders to reject the action,” Mr. Metuh said.

He also said “the action of the National Assembly is highly commendable as the lawmakers have shown that national interest must not be abridged on the alter of partisan considerations.”

“By supporting President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision, the National Assembly has played a major role in the overall effort to safeguard the territorial integrity of the nation as well as stop the mindless killing of innocent Nigerians in the troubled states”, the statement said.

The PDP, which also commended the Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, and his Yobe counterpart, Ibrahim Gaidam, said that the retention of all political structures in the affected states attests to the patriotism of the President and his determination to ensure a stable democratic polity while rubbishing the accusation of political manipulation by the opposition.

The party, however, failed to commend Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, who is a member of the party.

Mr. Nyako has been involved in a long battle with the National Chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, for supremacy over party affairs. The Adamawa Governor had also questioned the inclusion of his state among the ones under the emergency rule.

The statement also pointed out that the declaration of a state of emergency in the affected states will help create the atmosphere needed for dialogue, paving the way for a smooth implementation of the Amnesty already offered the Boko Haram sect by government.

The party urged all Nigerians to continue to give support to the federal government in its unrelenting effort to check the activities of insurgents in the country.

Source: Premium Times