Declaration of State of Emergency: Abians voice support for President Jonathan.

[FMINigeria]

                        The recent state of emergency clamped on three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa has elicited multiple reactions from residents of Abia State who expressed solid support for President Goodluck Jonathan  in the bold step he has taken to end the incessant bloodletting that has characterised living in those part of the country.

The Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji says he is in support of the declaration of emergency rule by President Goodluck Jonathan in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States because it is in line with the country`s constitutional provisions.

According to the chief press secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, in an interview, the action of the president is to stem the tide and stands as the only solution to the current insecurity in the region and therefore called all to support the president in his effort to make the nation peaceful as he has taken the right step in the right direction especially as he did not tamper with the democratic structures  put in place in the States affected.

The Governor exonerated himself from an alleged opposition of the Nigeria Governor's Forum (NGF) on the state of emergency rule.

Some legal practitioners in Umuahia, Abia State capital commended the decision to declare emergency rule in the three states.

Human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Anthony Agbazuere and Barrister Okey Mbanaso reiterated that the declaration is long overdue as it should have been done earlier to forestall the killings of innocent citizens.

While Agbazuere condemned the retention of the governors on their seats, Mbanaso explained that Mr. President could have acted in a way not to provoke sentiments.

Barr Agbazuere in his condemnation, vehemently stressed that the three governors  have failed colossally in their primary assignments since they could not use their security votes maximally.

Both lawyers also pointed out that the emergency rule entails that the powers of the three arms of government have been stripped off them even as the fundamental rights of the citizens of the affected states will be infringed in such situation.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abia State Chapter, Bishop Goddy Okafor opined that the declaration is a welcome development and prays all to watch in order to eat the fruits.  The Clergy man stated that rebellion of today would create devastating problems of the future and therefore call on the governors of the affected states to co-operate with the military to ensure the restoration of lasting peace in their states.

Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria