Obiano storms Aso Rock over State of Emergency threat
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano stormed the Presidential Villa, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday, where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari and aired his displeasure over threats by the Federal Government to invoke a state of emergency in his state.
Although the meeting held behind closed doors, Obiano shortly after the encounter with the President, described Malami’s comment of a state of emergency as unfortunate.
He alleged that the ruling All Progressive Congress may be mulling the idea of emergency as a ploy to rig the elections, even though the security crisis bedeviling the state was being perpetrated by people from neighbouring states.
Obiano while fielding questions from State House correspondents promised to personally call the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to register his displeasures.
Recall that after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, Malami had stated that a state of emergency may be imposed on Anambra to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
But the suggestion elicited widespread reactions from cross sections of Nigerians, most of whom described the action as totally unnecessary.
Obiano said, “That’s a very unfortunate comment by the Attorney-General. Malami. Very, very unfortunate. I also reported that to the President and this is not in the books for the President because he knows that Anambra has been the safest state in Nigeria for seven years plus. These invaders are from outside Anambra state, from the neighbouring towns, we are going to deal with them. We’re already working, there’s nothing.
“Even to contemplate state of emergency is unfortunate, look at what is happening in the north; they kill dozens every day. Because less than 15 people were killed in Anambra in two weeks, is that a reason for somebody to call for a state of emergency? That’s a very unfortunate comment by Malami. I will call him to express reservation on those kinds of comments, he shouldn’t try that.
“Anambra is doing well and don’t forget that Malami is on the National Campaign Committee for the APC candidate. So, if that’s their strategy, then they failed already. Come to the ballot box, APGA will win and win hands down. They are trying to see how they can destabilise us. No, APC has no room in Anambra, there’s no party called APC in Anambra. Anambra is APGA.
“He shouldn’t have made that assertion at all because we don’t have any challenge in Anambra. What happened for the period of two weeks is just a flash in the pan. Anambra has always been the safest state in Nigeria under my leadership for seven and a half years, so this little hiccup will not warrant his comment there.
“Why didn’t he make those comments in Kaduna, in Jos, Imo State, in Zamfara? Why is he making that kind of assertion and we have an election by the corner? There’s no reason to make that assertion.
“What you asked about the separatists, the answer I’m giving you is that I don’t know what you mean by leadership failure. My state is doing very well and as a matter of fact, you are very aware of my international cargo and passenger airport, the best in Nigeria, second longest runway after Lagos, 3.7 kilometres, tallest tower built with concrete all through and to be commissioned very soon. The International Conference Centre.
“We have leadership. So, that’s not the issue at all, but let me say this again, the comment by Honourable Attorney-General is unfortunate. He shouldn’t have made that comment because there’s no basis to make that.
“Whatever it is, I have not had challenges with whoever and whoever is causing trouble, no matter who he is, we’re going to flush out. That’s all I can tell you.”
Asked if he was convinced that the suggestion of a state of emergency may not be unconnected with his handling of the security situation as the sitting governor, he responded, “We are doing well already. Part of the reasons why I came here is to brief some security agencies on effort I’ve made and to solicit some support in some other areas; the army, the Navy, the police in particular. The President also noted that and will give further directives.
“We are getting more boots on ground, we’re getting more equipment and I believe in less than two weeks all these things will be over. We’ll overwhelm and conquer all these miscreants that came from other states nearby to come and harass Anambra people. Let me stop at saying that they are from neighbouring states.”
He said, “The Army, police Navy, other arms-bearing people should consider the quantum of force to use. As a strategist, you don’t sit down here and order the army to carry the whole army in Nigeria to go to Anambra.
“In summary, what I’m saying is what is happening in Anambra and this election that must hold, the crisis and challenges are far from being close to challenges in the Northwest and in the Northeast, as the case may be.
“They are not going to use an overwhelming force, that’s what we’re saying, overwhelming force. But use the force required to be able to get the job done.
“The guarantee we are given for this election is that this election will hold, we’ll have enough security to back the people and APGA, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, will be the next governor of Anambra State,” he stated.
