The Nigerian government has said it is not far away from imposing a state of emergency in Anambra to ensure the protection of lives and property in the November 6 governorship election in the state.
There has been unrest in the state ahead of the election, with assassinations and attacks on lawmakers. While answering questions from journalists at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja on Wednesday, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the Muhammadu Buhari-led government is willing to go to any length to ensure security in the state before, during, and after the election.
“When our national security is jeopardized, and the sanctity of our constitutionally mandated democracy is threatened, no option is off the table,” Malami added.
“It is our obligation as a government to protect the survival of our democratic order.”We have a responsibility as a government to ensure the safety of people and property. “There is no possibility that is overruled within the context of these constitutional commitments, of the government, or of the desire to promote democratic norms and order.”
“The government will surely do all is necessary to ensure that our elections are held in Anambra, in terms of providing the appropriate security, and in terms of ensuring that lives and property are protected.
“So, what I’m saying in essence, no possibility is out ruled by a government in terms of ensuring the sanctity of our democratic order, in terms of ensuring that our elections in Anambra hold, and you cannot out rule possibilities inclusive of the possibility of a declaration of a state of emergency where it is established, in essence, that there is a failure on the part of the state government to ensure the sanctity of security of lives, properties, and democratic order.
“So, our position as a government in this election is going to hold necessary security in terms of democratic order most certainly prevail for the purpose of this election.
“So, we resolve to have these elections; the elections are going to hold and no possibilities are ruled out in terms of ensuring the provision of security, for the purpose of the conduct of the election, as well as Anambra is concerned.”
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