President still chasing shadows, say ACN, RepHe is on course, Mark, Aliyu, AYCF, NBA othersAS emergency rule takes root in 15 local councils across Borno, Niger, Plateau and Yobe states, opinions were divided yesterday as to the appropriateness of the step.Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday backed President Goodluck Jonathan on the decision, saying that it is high time the government took a drastic measure towards the activities of the Boko Haram sect.Aliyu, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, pledged to work with the special task force that would be set up by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police to oversee the affairs of Suleja Local Council, Niger State where emergency rule is in force.Also, the Nigeria Youth Parliament (NYP) has described the emergency rule as 'a right step' towards checking insecurity in the country.The NYP stated this in a statement issued yesterday in Minna by its President, Abdullahi MiaBashira.Similarly, Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has declared his support for the emergency rule.The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, stated that President Jonathan by so doing used his constitutional powers and had 'taken the bull by the horn' to curb the embarrassment caused the nation by the Boko Haram sect.Orji believes that the initiative would stem the spate of bombing in the country.Although the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said it welcomed 'whatever reasonable measures the President takes to put an end to the needless loss of lives and the overheating of the polity,' the party has warned that 'a State of Emergency can only address the symptoms rather than the root causes of the current security crisis facing the nation.'In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the ACN submitted that 'a more fundamental solution must be found to the crisis to ensure a lasting peace.'In the same vein, Deputy Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, has argued that the worsening security situation in the country had proved that Jonathan was not competent to lead Nigeria.However, Sumaila added: 'We are waiting for him to furnish us with the details and content or the way the emergency will be shaped. But, we will support everything possible to bring an end to this national tragedy.'Also, against the backdrop of the Christmas Day bombing in Madalla, Niger State, Senate President David Mark yesterday reiterated the need to beef up security in the country.According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark while addressing a congregation at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State where the bomb blast occurred,noted that it is incumbent on Christians 'to forgive according to the Holy Book but government is duty bound to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.'Government will never allow evil to thrive over good. They must be fished out and punished according to the laws of the land. Nigerians must be allowed to carry out their legitimate businesses without fear of intimidation or harassment. There must be justice and the law must take its full course.'Also, despite the rising insecurity, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday urged Nigerians not to lose faith with the current federal administration.Ekweremadu, who spoke yesterday in Enugu, stated that all possible means must be employed to secure the nation and restore the people's confidence in the country's leaders.Similarly, former National Chairman of the Justice Party, Ralph Obioha, has described the emergency rule declaration as a step in the right direction.Also, The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF)and theCivil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has commended President Jonathan for declaring a state of emergency in some parts of the North.In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, AYCF President, Alhaji Yerimma Shetima said: 'Jonathan did well as the number onecitizen, and must stand his ground on the issue. The president has our support and should continue to declare emergencies in any part of the country where the nation's security is threatened, until terrorism is uprooted from Nigeria.'Similarly, the African Renaissance Party (ARP) said it supported the president's action.In his reaction, the Lagos State Chairman of the CLO, Mr. Ehi Omokhuale, said, 'any action that would prevent the carnage of killing innocent Nigerians is supported.''Though we had expected the state of emergency for a long time, it is better late than never. President Jonathan has our backing on this,' Omokhuale said.Likewise, the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday commended the emergency rule, but said the action came 'little too late.'A statement yesterday by the chairman of group, Philip Ugbodaga, said the action should have been taken long before now to avoid the loss of lives.The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) andsome eminent lawyers yesterday hailed the Federal Government's declaration of the emergency rule.Prof. Itse Sagay, a constitutional lawyer, said the move became necessarybecause the situation was getting out of control. 'Drastic measures have become necessary to root out this cancer and cankerworm that is tearing the fabric of this nation apart.Mr. Adebamigbe Omole, the NBA Chairman,Ikeja branch, said Nigerians currently neededpeace and security in the country.His words: 'If the declaration of state of emergency is going to guarantee peace and security in these areas, then it is a welcome development, but if not, then it is going to be fruitless.'In a related development, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has called on residents of the affected five councils in the state under emergency rule to remain 'calm and law abiding.'In a statement by the Commissioner of Information, Inuwa Bwala, yesterday in Maiduguri, Shettima said: 'We reassured the citizens that there is no cause for alarm,' adding that the state of emergency in the five council areas does not affect the democratic structures and functions of government in the state.Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force (JTF) has debunked reports of multiple blasts that killed four persons and injured some at a mosque last Friday in Budum ward of Maiduguri.Speaking at a media briefing at the weekend, the Field Operation Officer, JTF, Col. Victor Ebhaleme, said: 'There were no bomb blasts at the Maiduguri mosque as erroneously reported by some local and international media houses yesterday.'However, Ebhaleme said there were sporadic gunshots and attacks carried out by armed robbers at the Monday Market and in Budum ward and that two persons were killed and one person injured in the incident.In a related development, there has been a heavy presence of the security personnel in Jos, Plateau State following the announcement of the emergency rule in Jos North, Jos South, Riyom and Barkin Ladi councils.All the four councils are now heavily being guarded by security personnel, especially personnel of the Special Task Force (STF). Routine military patrols have also been intensified in the councils.Two military aircraft yesterday hovered above the city too.
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