House of Representatives endorse emergency rule extension in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa

The Nigeria House of Reps has approved President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for another six months of emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, as the deadly activities of the extremist group, Boko Haram are yet to be contained by Jonathan' administration. Nigerian Reps gave the approval Thursday after a closed-door meeting with Nigeria’s security service chiefs.

Earlier, the chiefs of army, navy, airforce and the defence chief had earlier briefed Senators about the present security situation, the abduction of over 250 girls in Chibok, Borno State.
The Senate has rescheduled voting on the request for an extension to Tuesday.


Only the approval by the both legislative chambers will enable the ruling to take effect. If approved by both houses, the emergency rule will last for another six months, and it would be the second time it will be extended by the president.

Premium Times reports that with the escalating violence in Borno and Yobe States, and the recent abduction of girls despite an emergency rule, meant the president’s request for an extension will be questioned by the lawmakers as some senators and members of the House of Representatives-mainly from the affected states, vowed to block the president’s request. The lawmakers rallied support from other legislators and insisted the service chiefs justify the new request against the current situation on ground.

“As long as we must support our troops, we have to get to the root of the matter of what happened; they have to justify the need for the extension,” said Bashir Adamu, the chairman House committee on defence.

After hours of meeting with the military commanders, the House passed the request with a voice vote.

The senate voting will hold Tuesday.