Anambra: Obiano May Cease To Be Governor As FG Dangles State Of Emergency

By Uche Mbah

The Federal Government will not hesitate to declare a State of Emergency in Anambra state due to the state of insecurity. If it does, Willy Obiano may cease to be Governor as a Sole Administrator would be appointed to rule the State.

This was disclosed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Wednesday, while addressing Journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja.

The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Malami, this is to protect lives and property in the State. It is based on the incessant violence that has taken over the State as the November Governorship elections draw near.

“When our national security is attacked, and the sanctity of our constitutionally guaranteed democracy is threatened, no possibility is ruled out,” Malami said.

“As a Government, we have a responsibility to ensure the sustenance of our democratic order. As a Government, we have a responsibility to provide security to life and properties.

“So, within the context of these constitutional obligations of the Government, or the desire to establish democratic norms and order, there is no possibility that [state of emergency] is out ruled.

“The Government will certainly do the needful in terms of ensuring that our elections are held in a Anambra in terms of ensuring necessary security is provided, and in terms of ensuring protection is accorded to lives and properties.

“So, what I’m saying in essence, no possibility is ruled out by Government in terms of ensuring the sanctity of our democratic order, in terms of ensuring that election in Anambra hold, and you cannot out rule possibilities, inclusive of the profitability of declaration or State of Emergency where it is established, in essence, that there is a failure on the part of the State Government to ensure the sanctity of of lives, properties, and democratic order.

“So, our position as a Government is if these elections are going to hold, necessary security, in terms of democratic order, prevail for this election.”

Critics have faulted his position, saying that the level of violence has not reached the level being experienced in different parts of the North, yet there has been no declaration of a state of emergency in these places.

In Niger State, Boko Haram is said to have taken over Local Governments, collecting taxes and flying their flags, thereby declaring the area part of its Sovereign State, but there appears to be deafening silence from the Presidency.

During the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he declared a State of Emergency in two States – Plateau and Ekiti.