The Nigerian senate has approved the state of emergency declared last week in three states believed to be epicenter of Islamist insurgency.
The senate, after a closed session with 100 members (out of the 109 members), approved unanimously by a voice vote the official gazette of the emergency rule, in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, transmitted to it by President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We therefore approve Mr President’s request for a declaration of state of emergency,” said senate president David Mark after a voice vote. The constitution requires an endorsement by a minimum of 72 senators representing two-third of the total members.
Mark said: “we must emphasise very emphatically that all democratic structures must be left in place and they must be allowed to operate fully and actively and they must also be involved in all the effort by the Federal government to put this ugly situation to an end.”
The senate emphasized that the armed forces should be issued proper code of conduct where they will be humane, benevolent and to make sure that all citizens are treated with utmost respect. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is in session to approve the emergency rule like the senate
Source: Channelstv
