As the
extra six-month emergency rule imposed on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states ends
this month, Governor Murtala Nyako, Kashim Shettima and Ibrahim Geidam will
know their fate, as to whether the military exercise would continue or not,
after tomorrow’s National Security Council meeting.
President
Goodluck Jonathan had, last November, extended an earlier six-month emergency
rule imposed on the three states in May 2013 by another six months. He is
expected to announce the next line of action soon, with the expiration of the
extra six-months emergency rule.
Jonathan
had scheduled a National Security Council meeting for tomorrow, after meeting
with governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
and service chiefs last Thursday. Governors of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), who were not invited to last week’s meeting, are expected in tomorrow’s
parley. The APC had suspended states congresses of the party earlier scheduled
for tomorrow, for the governors to attend the meeting.
Competent
sources told Daily Sun that the security council meeting would review the
security situation in the country, especially as it concerns the fight against
terror.
It was
gathered that the meeting would discuss likely new action in Borno, Yobe and
Adamawa states, with the president seeking the opinions of the governors and
service chiefs.
Presidency
sources revealed that the meeting would be presented with three options, from
which comments are expected from governors and security chiefs.
One of
the options, Daily Sun gathered, is the imposition of total emergency, which
would mean that governors of the states and all democratic structures would be
stepped down, for the appointment of sole administrators and full military
operations.
It was
learnt that the military is in support of this option, as officers believe that
since terror attacks have not abated in the three states, with the partial
emergency rule, there’s need for full military take over, so that there would
be no interference from any quarters. Also, the military believe that a full
military take over would give it the opportunity to address the border crossing
problem, whereby terrorists cross from Cameroun forest to attack communities in
Yobe, Borno and Adamawa. Border closure, it was gathered, is on the card.
The
second option, sources reveals, is the extension of emergency rule by three or
six months, within which the status quo, as at now, would remain.
The third
option, it was learnt, is the end of emergency rule, but with soldiers
remaining in the three states to maintain security.
Sources
revealed that participants at tomorrow’s meeting would be asked to air their
views on these options, after which President Jonathan would make the intention
of the Federal Government known to the nation.
To also
know the feelings of the National Assembly, since President Jonathan would need
the federal lawmakers’ ratification, should he take the first or second options,
it was gathered that a meeting between the leadership and the Presidency is
expected within the week.
The
meeting, sources stated, is for the Presidency to brief the National Assembly,
so that whatever decision eventually taken would not be seen as a surprise.
Meanwhile,
the Borno State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday
called on all Christians to commence fasting and prayers for the release of all
the secondary school girls abducted by Boko Haram at Chibok.
CAN State
chairman, Rev. Titus Pona, who announced the decision yesterday at a press
briefing in Maiduguri, also appealed to members of the Boko Haram to release
the schoolgirls, declare a ceasefire and embrace dialogue.
He
stated: “We are calling on all Christians in Borno state, Nigeria and the world
to fast and pray for the release of more than 100 girls said to have been
kidnapped by members of the Jamatu Alisunah Lidawati Al Jihad. I am calling on
all Christians in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Nigeria to fast and pray tomorrow
(Monday), let’s see how God will intervene.
“We are
calling on members of Jammat Alisunah Lidawati Al Jihad to lay down their arms
and pursue their case through dialogue because if they can dialogue with the
government maybe their problem will be solved. We are therefore, calling on our
brothers to release these poor girls who they have abducted.”
He
charged the state and Federal Government to do everything within their power to
secure the release of the kidnapped students and return them back to their parents.
He also
called for the deployment of more security troops to Chibok and most
communities in the southern part of the state, where he said the insurgents
have shifted their attacks in recent time.
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