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Presidency considers emergency rule in Anambra
By Felix Ofou
(Lagos)
Chuks
Ehirim,
Bayo Oladeji
and Adetutu
Fola-Koyi
(Abuja)
Those seeking emergency rule
in Anambra State may have their day afterall, with the Presidency now said
to be considering the option, �to end the mayhem once and for all� as
happened in Plateau State.
The reported move has the
backing of maverick Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe who has implored the
President to take the actionaz, although his colleagues objected to it on
the floor of the Upper House on Wednesday.
The irreconcilable differences
between Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige and his opponent Chris Uba
reached a climax last week when correspondence between President Olusegun
Obasanjo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman Audu Ogbeh over the conflict were published
in newspapers.
Checks in Abuja on Wednesday
showed that the slow pace of the election tribunal in the troubled state,
coupled with the shocking revelations coming from the dramatis personae �
Uba and Ngige � may have
compelled the Presidency to consider the speculated
option.
A lawmaker from Anambra who
regained his seat through litigation was at the National Assembly on
Wednesday urging his colleagues to note the possibility when the need
arises. He has been calling on all those who have travelled outside Abuja
to return.
�Some of our colleagues have
travelled and you know if the matter is brought to the National Assembly,
the leadership would recall us and the hawks might carry the day and you
know the implications,� he told journalists.
A principal officer of the
National Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity said: �I have been
hearing about it but I believe it is a rumour until the matter is brought
before us; until then I have no comment�.
Presidential Assistant Femi
Fani-Kayode stressed that he could not say whether there would be an
emergency rule. However, he argued that Obasanjo is waiting for the
tribunal to rule, that �he is not playing any covering up at all and when
the opportunity came, he told the whole world what is happening. As far as
Mr. President is concerned, the Anambra matter should not be swept under
the carpet�.
When he was told the
implication of the Presidential poll won by his boss, he said: �Let them
cancel the Anambra poll, Mr. President would still win, he still scored
millions of votes above the runners-up�.
Fani-Kayoyde was non-committal
when asked of plans to arrest Uba and Ogbeh, saying the President would
not protect any one violating the law. �Reconciliation is not the same
thing as sweeping any crime committed under the carpet. Let the law
enforcement agents do their job�.
But the new move to declare a
state of emergency in Anambra State was thwarted at the Senate on
Wednesday.
The plot was allegedly
scripted at the Apo Legislative Quarters residence of Nzeribe on Tuesday.
The platform was to have been the report of Senator Iyabode Anisulowo,
Chairman, Senate Committee on States and Local
Government.
According to a reliable
source, part of Anisulowo�s report had indicated that �the President
should use every constitutional means to install peace in
Anambra�.
Those reportedly present at
Nzeribe�s residence were Senators Sule Yari Gandi (ANPP, Sokoto),
Ugochukwu Uba (PDP, Anambra) and Ikechukwu Abana (PDP,
Anambra).
Other senators joined them at
the meeting, the intent of which was to perfect the deal and apportion
roles, before its presentation to Senate plenary on
Wednesday.
But efforts by Anisulowo to
present the report was thwarted by Senators Daniel Saror (ANPP, Benue) and
Nuhu Aliyu (PDP, Niger), both of who averred that it came on the wrong
order and that the committee did not get the mandate of the
Senate.
The Chamber became charged and
it was apparent that the majority were against the report. It was endless
brickbat between Anisulowo and Senator Emma Anosike (PDP, Anambra) who
engaged her and gesticulated that she should present
it.
Gandi�s move, through Order 42
to compel the Senate to at least discuss the report, was stopped by Senate
President Adolphus Wabara who told him: �Your order is taken and the issue
will be discussed at the next legislative day�, meaning January 11, 2005
when the Senate resumes from the Christmas recess.
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