By Godwin Igharo
It has not been sudden. The rumours had been in the air. But, nobody knew the exact day the news would be dropped.
However, on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan unequivocally declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. Three, among the States in the northern part of Nigeria where maiming, rape, looting and senseless killings had been perpetrated for years by insurgents and terrorists spearheaded by the Boko Haram sect.
The Boko Haram had been around for some time, even before the inauguration of the present administration, but their deadly activities had become intense after that. Till date, it is on record that more than 2,000 Nigerians have fallen to the mortal weapons of the terrorists and Nigeria has found it difficult to enjoy peace since the inception of their fatal operations.
It is also pertinent to state that the Jonathan-led government has, to no avail, made many efforts to put an end to the killings and restore peace. These included the declaration of partial emergency rule in 15 local government areas of Borno, Yobe, Plateau and Niger States and the proposal of amnesty for the members of Boko Haram sects. That is why many peace-loving Nigerians expressed approval and joy when President Goodluck Jonathan made his pronouncement on May, 14.
Yet, there are many Nigerians who have faulted the President on his timing and manner of handling the issue. "The move is unnecessary as the country is not at war or in imminent danger of invasion" said, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN). This is in spite of the fact that the President had informed the nation in his address that the insurgents have attacked government buildings and facilities . . . murdered innocent citizens and state officials . . . and taken women and children as hostages". He added that, "In many places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of State authority and in their place, hosted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternate sovereignty".
There are others who are of the opinion that he should not have waited till now. Too many lives, they say, have been lost. But, it was obvious that the President did not want to be seen as rash, he had wanted to exploit every other means for the peaceful resolution of the imbroglio.
We should also remember that during the inauguration of the present administration, President Jonathan had said that, "One thing that I stand for which is quite significant is the unity of this country." The unity, he referred to above, we all know, is too fragile and must be handled with care because of the way we interpret actions in this country.
In the Daily Sun of Thursday, May 16, 2013 (Back Page), Mr. Amanze Obi, referring to the President, wrote, "He shied away from dismantling the democratic structures in the States. The governors of the affected States are to remain in office. The State Houses of Assembly will also continue to function". This setup, the writer mocked, as "bemused". He went on to say that President Jonathan was afraid of the northern establishment. "He did not want to step on their toes"; and the bomb shell, "He simply played safe so as not to endanger his chances of being re-elected in 2015".
But those who applauded the President's decision believe that he has taken the right step in the right direction.
The human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), commended the President for not following the antecedent of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. "He has deviated from impunity by following the provisions of the law". He averred that there is no reasonable government who will fold its hand and allow insanity to reign supreme in the country.
Reasoning along the same line, Prof Itse Sagay concurred that, "I agree entirely with him that the state of emergency does not affect the tenure of the Governors or the right of the House of Assembly to seat. What Obasanjo used to do was illegal and a breach of the constitution". Sagay had earlier cautioned that it is not wise to use soft tactics with terrorists. People, who he said, have no human feelings.
Rotimi Fashakin, CPC National Publicity Secretary, said that the President has shown that the choice made by the people through the ballot would not be denied them, by not removing the Governors of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, described President Goodluck Jonathan as a democrat for deciding to leave the political structures of the affected States.
No doubt however, that there are still some very important and complex issues which require explanations. The most important one, is – Who is going to be in charge in these States under the emergency rule, the civilian Governors or the army chiefs? Another one is – Can one still trust the Governors who are alleged to be aiding and abetting criminal activities of the insurgents and terrorists?" Kabiru Sokoto, the Boko Haram adherent arrested in connection with the Madalla bombing, was rounded up in a Governor's lodge in Abuja.
Since the constitution provides just six months for emergency rule, in the first instance, all parties should recognize and maintain their bounds but should be ready to co-operate with one another. They must pull in the same direction in order to achieve peace; not working at cross purposes. And, there must be a sincere desire for the restoration of peace. The Governors must accept the fact that these are not normal times, while the military chiefs should constantly bear it in mind that they are dealing with civilians, and must adjust accordingly.
Since the Governors cannot be fully trusted, they and other suspected sponsors of the mayhem in the north should be placed under constant surveillance. There is need, also, to keep surveillance on other States in the country, especially on the activities of the militia groups that now dot all the nooks and cranny of the nation. We cannot afford to be caught unawares again.
The Minister for Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, disclosed recently that the Federal Government has within few months deported over 19,000 illegal immigrants. The exercise should be of continuous nature while the Bureau of Statistics and other relevant authorities should be ordered to quickly put together accurate data on the exact number of illegal immigrants in the country.
This is not the time to indulge in war crimes like maiming, raping, looting and reckless killings. The citizens of these states are the soldiers' compatriots, not prisoners of war. This, the military should note.
Another important thing the soldiers must learn is the need to win over the civilian populace in order to gain their confidence and co-operation. They terribly need the assistance of these "Bloody civilians" to succeed in their mission. They are the ones who are likely to show the military, the way to the hills, lakes, caves and other such places that serve as hideouts for the terrorists.
Thank God that the presidency maintains that the proposed amnesty is still on course. It is capable of fast-forwarding the resolution of the conflict at hand. After all, most conflicts are negotiated at the round table; even wars.
Now that the President has declared a state of emergency in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno to ensure peace in that part of the country and indeed in all parts of Nigeria, it behoves all of us, as Nigerians, irrespective of our tribe, religion, location or political affiliation to join hands with the government of the day to ensure success. We stand to gain more if Nigeria remains one indivisible entity than if the country breaks into fragments.
There is nothing like peace. Without peace there will be no justice nor development nor progress. So let us join together and fight for peace instead of politicizing all our problems.
Godwin Igharo subscribes this piece from the Federal Information Resource Centre, Benin.Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria