Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has blasted the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami for suggesting that the Federal Government may consider the possibility of declaring a state of emergency in the state if the security situation continues to degenerate.
Governor Obiano also said that Malami’s comment did not have the support of President Muhammadu Buhari, as the President never mentioned any such to him (Obiano) when two of them met at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting behind closed doors with the President, the Anambra state governor said that President Buhari warned political parties against using intimidation for the opposition parties in the November 6 governorship election in the state.
He described the comment made by the AGF as unfortunate, wondering why the Minister had not considered a declaration of emergency rule in the Northeast and Northwest especially in Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara states where banditry and terrorism claim several lives virtually on daily basis.
The Governor also claimed that the lawmakers from the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and other parties that defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, were paid N100 million each to join the party.
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Reacting to the comment made by Malami that the federal government may not rule out the possibility of declaring a state of emergency if the state government did not improve the security in the state before the November 6 election, he said, “Well, 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 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 have 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.”