Nigerian Senate in a closed door meeting have voted to side with the state of emergency imposed on three north-eastern states believed to be the core Islamic insurgency.
100 Senator out of the 109 members by a voice vote approved the official gazette outlining the emergency measures in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, transmitted to it by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“We therefore approve Mr President’s request for a declaration of state of emergency, “Senate president, David Mark, stated, after the voice vote.
“We must emphasise very emphatically that all democratic structures must be left in place and they must be allowed to operate fully and actively and they must also be involved in all the effort by the Federal government to put this ugly situation to an end.” Mark noted.
The constitution requires an endorsement by a minimum of 72 senators representing two-third of the total members.
The senate stressed that the armed forces be issued proper code of conduct which requires them to be humane, benevolent and ensure that all citizens are treated with utmost respect.
In the same vein, the House of Representatives also approved the emergency rule measures.
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