By: Olusegun Lawrence Conscious of the imminent defeat that the motion on extension of emergency rule in the north-eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe could suffer, the leadership of the Senate has resolved to appease the northern members of the Upper Chamber, who have vowed to vote against the motion.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday formally requested for an extension of emergency rule in the three states for another six months to give security agencies more time to restore peace and tranquility.
Prompt News recalls that the President declared emergency rule in the three states on May 15, 2013.
He also sought and got approval for another six months extension at its expiration last year November.
The Senate Thursday held closed door session with the Minister of Defence, Gen Aliyu Gusau, National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, along with the Service Chiefs for about four hours.
In a resolution after the meeting, Senate stood down debate on the extension to enable wider consultations with various stakeholders.
In the words of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, the consultations would ensure that everybody buys into the extension before it is tabled at plenary.
It will be recalled that northern senators had resolved on Wednesday to vote against the extension of emergency rule in the three states.
Briefing newsmen, they anchored their position on the fact that there are other ways to tackle insurgency than emergency rule, citing the need to further empower the military and other security agencies.
