Election: We may declare state of emergency in Anambra, FG warns

The Federal Government has said it is not foreclosing the possibility of declaring state of emergency in Anambra State.

There has been widespread violence in the state in the buildup to the November 6 governorship election.

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Daily Trust had reported how politicians went into hiding following the activities of rampaging gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

While speaking with State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, said the election must hold.

The minister said government would take proactive measures to ensure that the democratic order was kept safe.

He said: “When our national security is attacked and the sanctity of our constitutionally guaranteed democracy is threatened, no possibility is ruled out.

“As a government, we have a responsibility to ensure the sustenance of our democratic order. As a government, we have a responsibility to provide security to life and properties.

“So, within the context of these constitutional obligations, of the government or the desire to establish democratic norms and order, there is no possibility that is out ruled.

“The government will certainly do the needful in terms of ensuring that our elections are held in Anambra in terms of ensuring necessary security is provided, and in terms of ensuring protection is accorded to lives and properties.

“So, what I’m saying in essence, no possibility is out ruled by government in terms of ensuring the sanctity of our democratic order, in terms of ensuring that our elections in Anambra holds, and you cannot out rule possibilities inclusive of the possibility of declaration or 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 is this elections are going to hold necessary security in terms of democratic order most certainly prevail for the purpose of this election.

“So, we resolves 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,” Malami said.