Nigerian president seeks 6 months extension of emergency rule

President Jonathan today May 13th sent a request to the National Assembly seeking an extention of the State of Emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by six months.

In a media chat on May 4th, the president had hinted that there would be an extension of emergency rule in these states since peace has not been restored there.

Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states have witnessed high rates of attacks by Boko Haram and have been placed on emergency rule since May 1st 2013. The new proposed extention if implemented would elapse in November 2014, three months before the general election.

There has been some criticisms in some quarters against the extension. Some people believe the emergency rule earlier implemented had not reduced or stopped the killings in the states and so this new extension would still have no effect.

 

The National Assembly however has to debate on it before the President can enforce an extension.Culled