The president of the federal republic of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who became apparently concern and worried over the unending spate of violent and deadly insurgencies in North eastern Nigeria being perpetrated by Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday the 14th of May 2013 in a nation-wide broadcast declared a state of emergency in three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in a bid to further curtail gross insecurity in those states.

Many Nigerians heaved a great sigh of relieve following the declaration in a region that had almost become ungovernable due to the activities of deadly militants.

The president of the federal republic of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who became apparently concern and worried over the unending spate of violent and deadly insurgencies in North eastern Nigeria being perpetrated by Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday the 14th of May 2013 in a nation-wide broadcast declared a state of emergency in three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in a bid to further curtail gross insecurity in those states.

Many Nigerians heaved a great sigh of relieve following the declaration in a region that had almost become ungovernable due to the activities of deadly militants.

Surprisingly, the national spokesperson of the Congress for progressive change (CPC) Mr Rotimi Fashakin hailed the federal government for adopting such measure and called on Nigerians to rally round Mr President in this trying moment to end the virus of wanton killings and destructions by Boko Haram insurgents.

However, disturbing and sickening is the position of the Action congress of Nigeria (ACN) who described the measure as counter-productive and called on the national assembly to reject it in its totality.

The ACN made known its position in Abuja through its national publicity secretary Alh Lai Mohammed. In response to ACN’s position, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) through its national spokesperson Chief Olisa Metuh described Lai as a person speaking from a confused and diseased state of mind and a blackmailer.

To be honest, I was rattled by the opposition of the measure by ACN. President Jonathan after due consultation with key stakeholders in the polity held an emergency meeting with service chiefs before making the declaration. The development was welcomed by 80% of Nigerians including some opposition parties. But I can’t really comprehend why ACN chided and faulted the measure calling it a counter-productive development. Has ACN lost its sense of direction and flagrantly abusing its power of opposition? Well! They are on their own.

After careful study of the whole development, I have been made to understand that the declaration is not in any way an attempt to declare war on Northern Nigeria as cried out by Northern Elders Forum (NEF) through its spokesman Prof Ango Abdulahi but a strategic and constructive attempt to bring to a halt the deadly activities of some sinister-minded elements who do not mean well for the harmonious co-existence of Nigeria.

Many have thrown their weight behind Mr President in this turbulent times and I sincerely commend them for the show of patriotism and concern for the yearnings and aspirations of Nigeria.
Worthy of note is the fact that I am not a member of any political party neither am I deeply engaged in partisan politics. I am only a concern Nigerian student following events as they unfold and giving my inputs that would lead to political stability, progress and development.

Interestingly, the emergency rule is yielding positive result as Federal Government troops are more determined and resolute than ever in defusing and weeding off beastly insurgents that have killed over 4000 thousand human lives since their inception. They have also destroyed valuable properties worth trillions of Naira. It is depressing, sickening, worrisome and disheartening.

It is a pity that ACN and some unpatriotic persons have turned pessimists in a country that urgently needs far-reaching measures and concerted efforts to achieve sustainable growth and development.

I am optimistic and I sincerely pray that the emergency rule will go a long way in paving way for the entrenchment of enduring peace, stability, development and economic prosperity in the affected states.

God bless the federal republic of Nigeria.

by Dapar Satmak Alexander

Dapar Satmak is a mass communication student of the University of Jos, he writes for ViewPointNigeria from Jos, Plateau state.

He can be reached at the following email address: [email protected]

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State of Emergency and Opposition Parties by Dapar Satmak Alexander