Ahead of a meeting in Kaduna on Tuesday, May 28, governors in the 19 states of the northern part of Nigeria have expressed their support for the ‘state of emergency’ declared on the three states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa on Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The President’s declaration and the report of the Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security, submitted to the governors in Abuja in April are major issues for deliberation at the meeting.
The governors under the aegis of the Northern State Governors’ Forum (NSGF) said on Saturday in Minna, Niger State, through a statement, that they were in support of the President’s decision and action in the three states located in the North-Eastern part of the country.
They expressed optimism that this move would usher into the affected areas the much desired peace which had eluded the area.
The Forum Chairman and Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, in the statement signed on his behalf by Danladi Ndayebo, his Chief Press Secretary, urged the people of the area to support this move for peace and also urged the Federal Government not to renege on the amnesty programme that it had begun for members of the Boko Haram sect.
They said such co-operation with security agents would reduce the number of casualties and help to ensure the effectiveness of the security agents.
While appealing with the security agents deployed to these states against extra judicial practices, the governors advised the military “to respect the sanctity of human lives, especially civilians who are not involved in the crisis.”
The Forum commended President Jonathan for finally coming up with the decision while urging members of the Boko Haram sect to accept the amnesty offer from the Federal Government.
The statement read: “they should respond to government’s gesture so that lasting peace can return to the region in particular, and the nation in general.”
The governors commiserated with families who lost their loved ones in the recent attack by gunmen in Daura, Katsina State advising that residents should be very vigilant.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security, had submitted its report to the Forum towards the end of April. One of its recommendations was for the 19 northern state governors to raise about N7.6billion as rehabilitation fund for the region’s development.
This means that each state is expected to contribute N400 million to the fund.
