…Denies Allegation Of Financial Inducement
… Summons Service Chiefs
By Emmanuel Adesuji, Abuja.
The Senate again failed for the second time in two days, to agree on the request for the elongation of the emergency rule in the three north-eastern states.
After two hours closed meeting on Wednesday, Senate was divided over request for approval of emergency rule for Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, even as the lawmakers summoned the military Service Chiefs to be part of the discussion on the extension of emergency rule.
Also, Senate described the allegation of financial inducement against Senators for approval of emergency rule as utter rubbish.
Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe), was vehement in his argument against extension, insisting that the emergency rule in the states has not deterred insurgency.
Senator Kunlere Boluwaji (PDP Ondo), said he could not think of a better alternative to emergency rule in the affected states, especially now that the situation has degenerated to war in the occupied areas.
Briefing press at the end of the closed door meeting, Chairman of the Senate Committee on information and Media, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said “the senate had a very robust discussion and agreed that talks should continue the next day and to as well have the nation’s service chiefs present to brief us more on what is going on in these States.
“We are going to act based on the additional information they are going to give us.”
He also said that the senate also hopes to get more information from Governors of the three affected States to enable it decide on Thursday.
He also said that the need for the additional information is imperative as the country is in a war situation.
” If we are going to pass the request, I think it will not be unusual that we get the necessary information to guide our decisions. We hope that by tomorrow we should be able to reach a decision,” he added.
Abaribe dismissed as unfounded the allegation that senators have been financially induced to vote for the extension, stating that such allegation is utter rubbish as he believes that no senator was given money for the request of Mr. President. “No such thing happened,” he affirmed.
President Goodluck Jonathan had on Tuesday sent a letter for the proclamation of emergency rule in Adamawa, yobe and Borno.
The President hinged his request for extension on the fact that the security challenges which necessitated the proclamation have yet to abate.
