Emergency Rule: How Reps tinkered with proclamation

culled: Vanguard 

Fresh facts have emerged on why President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in three north-eastern states got unanimous endorsement in the House of Representatives  on Tuesday.

It was learnt that security reports concerning the situation in the states had become alarming.

A particular report indicated that Boko Haram militants had threatened that they would overrun Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, within seven days. The group’s planned invasion of the state capital was said to have created fear within Borno State government circles.

It was gathered that when the lawmakers discussed Jonathan’s proclamation in an executive session,  legislators from the affected states were reticent.

A member of the House who spoke to Sunday Vanguard on condition of anonymity said, “Even though our colleagues from the affected north-eastern states couldn’t support or oppose the President’s proclamation, they complained that they could no longer visit their constituencies due to the high level of insecurity prevailing there. We know they were afraid of speaking up due to their fear for their own lives”. However, the President received overwhelming support of  the lawmakers during the closed door session.

It was gathered that most members of the House decided  not to oppose the step taken by Jonathan after several senators had urged them to refrain from politicising the emergency rule proclamation based on  the grave security situation in the North-East.

Indeed, a member of the House from Jigawa State, who was approached by a reporter, appealed to be left alone.
The lawmaker  said: “Please, don’t ever request for my comment on the President’s declaration. Don’t you know they could come after me if I say anything they don’t like?”

Although the constitutional provision that a minimum of 2/3rd of the 360 members of the House (240 ) was required to endorse the emergency rule, all the 253 members  present at the session, which lasted over four hours, voted in favour of the emergency rule declaration.

The House  introduced some amendments in the proclamation  sent to the National Assembly by the President.

The amendments included a clause that provided that  governors and local government chairmen of the affected states shall continue to be in charge of general administration of  their territories.  Another clause stated that the emergency rule shall only apply to the affected states with regard to the provision of security, order and safety. The House also resolved that funds accruing to the affected states and local government areas must not be tampered with by the President.

The House  introduced a clause that victims of terrorist attacks  should be compensated by  government.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal announced the establishment of a six-member conference committee to harmonise the resolutions of the House and that of the Senate. The committee submitted its report on Thursday.