Naij.com Readers Discuss Necessity of Emergency Rule in the FCT

Since May 2013, three states in the troublesome north-eastern region of Nigeria – that of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe – have been functioning under the emergency rule. President Goodluck Jonathan imposed the measures in an attempt to ride down the activities of Boko Haram terrorist network.

He has authorized the Nigerian Army troops to "carry out all necessary actions within the ambit of their rules of engagement to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists".

However, the exercise is complicated by internal issues in the military – corruption, lack of adequate funding and weaponry, low soldiers' morale, and by lack of trust within political circles.

In mid-April 2014, hundreds of schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram from their dormitories in a small town of Chibok in Borno State. 219 young females are still missing, while the attention of the whole world has been glued to Nigeria. Advisers and troops from China, France, Israel, the UK and the US were deployed to our country to secure the girls’ release.

Furthermore, in the past few months, a number of audacious and deadly attacks were carried out in Abuja and Lagos, costing hundreds of lives and injuring countless Nigerians.

Legit.ng reader Babatunde Akintoye, worried by the spreading range of attacks, has suggested the following: 

"Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in the North have been under the state of emergency for over a year because of the insurgency. Now, it seems that the terrorists are targeting the Federal Capital, too. Should the Federal Government declare state of emergency in Abuja as well?"

We have asked our readers to voice their opinions on the matter. Roughly a half of respondents have supported the proposition, saying it is indeed necessary since the Federal Government cannot ensure safety of the Federal Capital Territory (nicknamed the Federal Capital of Emergency by some).

Tsebo Teryima said: "I am 100% in support. State of emergency should be declared in Abuja, oh I forgot, in the entire Nigeria. Because the one declared in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states is not helping matters. Or the emergency in these three states should be called off, it is useless."

Certainly, should the Government move towards introducing martial law in the capital, the authorities and the military should work closely towards ensuring peace and stability in the area and erasing the threat of Boko Haram.

Achadu Yahaya maintained: "Yes! Declare state of emergency in Abuja! State of emergency means suspension of the fundamental rights of the citizenry in the Nation's Constitution to enable the Government deal quickly with emergency situation on the ground. State of emergency is therefore a special period that requires less or no due process of law in order to deal precisely with the situation that threatens the legal order of the state and jeopadises the corporate existence of the nation. Former American President Abraham Lincoln had to suspend the American Constitution during the Southern States of America's war of cessesion and dealt with the situation squarely and kept the United States together. The question is not declaration of State of Emergency, but sincerity of the Government in dealing with the situation dispassionately. Will such state of emergency bear desired result? Will it lead to the full restoration of peace, law and order? Will the sacrifice of citizens yield positive result at the end? My view is, declare state of emergency in Abuja, comb the nooks and crannies of the City with a view to securing the capital city for the good of all."

Those opposing the idea of imposing emergency rule in Abuja say the measure will have little to no effect, as is the case with the three northern states. A number of readers have suggested to announce military rule in every other northern state to curb Boko Haram, or shift the national capital elsewhere to the east or south-south region.

Letting the military take over the Government does not always mean good changes, some have observed, but could worsen the situation in Abuja and attract more unnecessary attention from the terrorists.

Reginald Chinomso argues: "There must not be any form of state of emergency declared in the FCT. Not just that it is the seat of the Government, but you can't even compare it with the level of massacre and insanity going on in those three states. There, terrorists come out in broad daylight, sit, relax, have a field day and hunt down human beings, looting properties, defiling every effort of the Government, strolling away with small girls and women alike! In fact, these states need to be "shut down" and people evacuated from there!"

Augustine Imeoria noted: "By the way, some of us are answering yes not understanding what the question is all about. State emergency in a nation's capital means military operations will be carried out, that means inviting the military to take over. This is not the best solution. Rememeber, all political structures have to be "temporarily" suspended."

Sanya Tiamiyu agreed: "If the state of emergency is to be declared in the FCT, that would mean the state of anarchy, which would be a plus for the insurgents. Nigerians, we should all stand togehter to fight this evil plaguing us!"

Some aggrieved readers have suggested "conspiracies in the high places," for ordinary, underprivileged Nigerians are being lied to about almost about everything, and that the Government has its hand in the Boko Haram atrocities. Others suspect conspiracies by leaders in the North who attempt to "rubbish Jonathan's regime".

What is your opinion on the matter? Will the military eventually clamp down Boko Haram, or other emergency measures should be introduced? Will they be effective?

Source: Legit.ng