By Mrs. Ememmaria Offiong.
Irked by an almost continuous orgy of bloodletting in the northern part of Nigeria, the Federal Government on Monday, May 7, 2013 declared a state of emergency in some of the violence-prone states of the region. Since 2009, when the militants started unleashing mayhem in Maiduguri, the Capital of Borno State, the situation has gone from bad to worse, as the insurgents constantly claim responsibility for their brazen attacks until the recent attacks which led to the death of over ninety security operatives among other civilians with numerous women and children taken as hostage in Nasarawa State.
Section 305 of the 1999 constitution empowers a sitting President to impose emergency rule in any section of the country or the whole nation when the sovereign rights of its citizens are violated or in the event of a breakdown of law and order.
Both the international and local communities, media and personalities have issued a flurry of reactions for or against the FG's decision to declare this rule in 3 North –eastern states, viz: Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
Among Prominent Nigerians who have described it as a right step taken in the right direction is an ex-Governor of plateau State, Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun.
He congratulated the President for taking a decisive step to tackle the insecurity problem facing the country. Whilst reacting to this declaration, he said; "I commend President Jonathan for this bold step. It is positive and it will save Nigeria from descending into anarchy. I call on him to continue to take such proactive steps that will protect the country's sovereignty and guarantee the safety of lives and property".
He also stated that no responsible Government will stand by and watch individuals or groups holding the nation hostage and threatening our territorial integrity.
The damage done to the nation and our collective psyche by this insurgency cannot be quantified if one goes by the level of human lives lost during this period not to talk of the worth of properties destroyed; the economic, social, educational activities truncated and governance, which was brought to a standstill. It is on record that over 2,000 lives have been lost since this whole madness began. The perpetrators of this violence even carried their impunity to as far as burning the nation's flags and other State instruments while hoisting their own strange flags in 17 out of 23 Local Government Areas of Borno State. This shows that our collective heritage was being threatened and our sovereignty at stake.
Directly or indirectly, whatever happens in Nigeria has a way of affecting those in the Diaspora and vice versa. That is why the international community has voiced its concerns over this issue of insecurity several times. More so, Nigeria is a major regional hub which implies that anything happening here can spill over and have dire consequences both in the West Africa sub-region and the African continent as a whole.
Again, the FG has responded in so many ways than one, to find a way out of the imbroglio without worsening an already bad situation.
Despite the fact that the Federal Government was being vilified over this intervention strategy, it can be recalled that Nigerians had been advocating this option for a long time now. It is regrettable that the insecurity level from the rate of insurgency has been assuming frightening proportions which culminated in the killing of over 90 Policemen including men of the Department of State Services and other Paramilitary officials, it has become like the proverbial last straw that broke the Carmel's back. By the singular act declaring a state of emergency on the three states, the President has declared all-out war against insurgents and terrorists who want to use their regional success as a launch pad to wrest control of much of Nigeria if not the whole nation from the legitimate control by government.
The President has displayed his humane side and due respect for the constitution by his matured approach in allowing the affected States' government structures to remain. This will stem the tide of litigation and a wave of opposition over the unconstitutional removal of sitting Governors as was the case in time past. The President must also be commended for showing the political will and concern for the safety of lives of properties of citizens in those states. Democracy is all about a mature approach to crisis management and as a democrat, the President is not one who will try to tamper with the choice of the electorates.
One may want to advise that the President should not be distracted by ridiculous opposition, but should continue in its holistic approach for handling the crises bedeviling the nation.
To this end, the National Assembly should also be commended for giving approval to the decision of the Preident, to enhance restoration of peace and order to the affected areas.
The relevant stakeholders – the Northern Elders Forum, Arewa Consultative Forum, State Institutions, citizens and security operatives should all work together to give peace a chance; as this is the only way to push development and ensure the success of the transformation agenda of the Government. Furthermore, security outfits need to empathize with the citizens in the difficulties they are passing through and treat them with utmost respect according to the dictates international human rights and their rules of engagement under the emergency rule. Everyone affected should be ready to sacrifice some level of freedom that the limitations of the rule entails, while the media should focus on enlightening and sensitizing people on the current state of the nation.
Government in the meantime should also continue to keep communication channels open to encourage dialogue with the insurgents since there is already an amnesty committee in place for that purpose.
Mrs. Ememmaria Offiong is a Senior Information Officer serving at the National Press Centre, Abuja.Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria