By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Should the security situation in the South East in general and Anambra state in particular deteriorates further before the November 6 Governorship Election, the Federal Government may declare State of Emergency in the state.
This much was disclosed by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Malami who spoke to State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) held at Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday said all options are on the table to deal with the spate of insecurity in Anambra state by the Federal Government.
Said he: “When our national security is attacked, and the sanctity of our constitutionally guaranteed democracy is threatened, no possibility is ruled out. As a government, we have a responsibility to ensure the sustenance of our democratic order.
Explaining further he said: “as a government, we have a responsibility to provide security to lives and properties. So, within the context of these constitutional obligations of the government the desire to establish democratic norms and order, there is no possibility that is out-ruled. The government will certainly do the needful in terms of ensuring that our elections are held in Anambra, in terms of ensuring necessary security is provided, and in terms of ensuring protection is accorded to lives and properties.
“So, what I’m saying in essence, no possibility is out-ruled by government in terms of ensuring the sanctity of our democratic order, in terms of ensuring that our elections in Anambra hold, and you cannot out all possibilities, inclusive of the possibility of Declaration of a State of Emergency where it is established, in essence, that there is a failure on the part of the state government to ensure the sanctity of security of lives, properties and democratic order.
“So, our position as a government is these elections are going to hold and necessary security, in terms of democratic order, must certainly prevail for the purpose of this election. So we are resolved to have the elections, the elections are going to hold and no possibilities are ruled out in terms of ensuring the provision of security for the purpose of the conduct of the election, as well as another sponsor. Thank you”.
