The federal government on Wednesday has said it’s not ruling out the possibility of declaring state of emergency in Anambra if the persistent killings and violence in Anambra State does not stop.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami disclosed that the Federal Government may declare a state of emergency in the South-East state to ensure that the forthcoming governorship election holds.
The minister said the government has resolved that the November 6 election will take place, adding that the government is determined to ensure a hitch-free election in Anambra.
Briefing newsmen on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Malami noted that the security of lives and properties of Nigerians living in Anambra is paramount to the government.
Anambra State has continued to record widespread of violence, killings in the buildup to the November governorship election.
Politicians had reportedly went into hiding and suspended campaigns as a result of the chaos in the state.
The headquarters of INEC in the state had also been razed.
DAILY GIST earlier reported that some Gunmen attacked and burnt down the police and the Department of State Services headquarters in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Unspecified number of people were said to have been killed during the attack while several others were injured according to reports
Gunmen had also attacked the convoy of a federal lawmaker representing the state, Chris Emeka Azubogu.
A police officer and the driver of the lawmaker were killed while a police station was set on fire.
Azubogu, who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) few hours before the incident, was not in the convoy when the assailant struck.
Two days before the attack, seven persons, including, Dr Chike Akunyili, widower of Dr Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of the National Agency for Food Administration and Drug Control (NAFDAC), were murdered in broad daylight by unknown gunmen
Dethroned traditional ruler of Mkpunando Aguleri, Alex Edozieuno, was murdered weeks before the killing of Akunyili.
Edozieuno was killed along Ezu Bridge, Otuocha in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra.
Andy Uba, governorship candidate of the APC in Anambra, on Saturday suspended the flag-off of his campaign due to the killings.
The outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been on rampage not just in Anambra but across the South East.
Its however not clear if the killings in Anambra have political undertone or IPOB is actually behind them.
However speaking on Wednesday, The minister noted that a state of emergency may be declared in the state if national security is attacked, and the sanctity of the constitutionally guaranteed democracy is threatened.
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.
“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 hold.
“And you cannot rule out 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.”
