APC to FG: Don’t sack Adamawa, Borno, Yobe govs

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the Federal Government against any plan to remove governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
This came as the party said consequences of any plan to extend emergency rule in the three North-East states where there is insurgency may not be in the interest of people meant to be protected or that of the country.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking with journalists after the conduct of APC Kwara State congress in Ilorin, at the weekend, the interim national publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said “you can’t fight insurgency without democratic structure in place.
“The extension of emergency rule is between the president and the National Assembly. The president cannot declare emergency rule without securing two-third majority of the National Assembly and there are certain issues to be considered by the National Assembly before it would grant the extension.
“What is more worrisome is the call by some people to the effect that some
democratic structures in the states should be dismantled and the governors sacked. The question is when and how did governors become impediment to fighting insurgency?
“On the contrary, you can’t fight insurgency without democratic structures in place. I hope those who are trying to stampede the president on extension or sacking of governors should have a rethink, because if they do, the consequences will not be in the interest of the people you want to protect or that of the country,” he said.
The APC chieftain also said the battle against insurgency bedeviling the country could not be fought by the Federal Government alone, saying the fight needed active cooperation and participation of all stakeholders in the country.
He advised the Federal Government to reach out to the affected governors as the number one stakeholders in any state.
“I hope the Federal Government, having got the assurance of the governors, reach out to them. You see, you can’t combat insurgency without active cooperation and participation of major stakeholders.
“We hope at the end of the meeting, the Federal Government will be less evasive, defensive and reach out more to the governors and understand that at the end of the day, every security is local,”  he said.
Speaking on the letter written by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State on prevalent insurgency in the area, Alhjai Mohammed said the governor was not speaking for the APC.
“I think people are getting it wrong. Governor Nyako, as governor and leader of the North, expressed his views on what he perceived is going on. When did that one become a party matter?
“The issue of condemnation or not, let’s take a look at the issue and message he said. I have read the letter. He’s making certain allegations and those allegations he believes them amd proffered solutions to issues raised.
“Nyako was not speaking for APC. He was speaking as a governor and the letter was not addressed to APC, but to northern governors,” he said.
Lawmaker wants total emergency in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe
A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Uzoma Abonta, at the weekend, called for total state of emergency to be declared in the three North-Eastern states.
Honourable Abonta stated this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja, saying that the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency must not be handled with kid gloves any longer.
Honourable Abonta, while justifying his position, stated that it would amount to duplicity of role to have a military commander and civilian administrations in place in the affected states at the same time, when crises still persisted.
To this end, he called for the suspension of all democratic structures in the three states.