However, the part which drew my attention is the reaction of
people to the paragraphs 15 quoted below:
1 5. “The details of
this Proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance
with the provisions of the Constitution. But in the meantime, let me make it
clear that within the purview of this Proclamation, the Governors and other
political office holders in the affected states will continue to discharge
their constitutional responsibilities.”
In this paragraph the president declared that the political
office holders will continue their constitutional duties. So the state
governors and the state houses of assembly were left intact. This pronouncement
was condemned by a cross section of people saying it is not proper. That he
should have removed the state executives and legislators. They even said that
this half state of emergency and not full.
I want to differ from this opinion. From my understanding of
declaration of state of emergency in any state or sector, it is not the
abolition of existing structure. According to Wikipedia, “A state of emergency
is a governmental declaration which usually suspends a few normal functions of
the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their
normal behaviors, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness
plans. It can also be used as a rationale for suspending rights and freedoms,
even if guaranteed under the constitution. Such declarations usually come during
a time of natural or man-made disaster, during periods of civil unrest, or
following a declaration of war or situation of international or internal armed
conflict.”
By the president’s declaration, only a few executive
functions have been affected or suspended. Key among these is the function of
the governor as the chief security officer of the state. That function will now
be handled by the commander of the military body handling the state of
emergency.
I think that the reactions of people as regard this were
based on the state of emergency declared by the Obasanjo administration. When
he declared state of emergency in Plateau and the Ekiti states, he removed the
executive governor during those periods. Some commentators have even declared
Obasanjo’s actions then as unconstitutional. Let us leave that to others to
debate.
The purpose of this piece is to enlighten a few who may not
know what it meant when a state of emergency is declared in any state or
sector.
The question I have in my mind is, “will these military
people operate within the rules of engagement?” another question is “what are
even the rules of engagement of this exercise?” I hope that the answer to the
second question will be included in the details the presidency plan to send to
the National Assembly.
God bless Nigeria and drive away violence from our midst.
#2015OnMyMind
#PoliticalGabriel
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