Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has backed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami on threats of declaring a state of emergency in Anambra State over the rising spate of insecurity.
Malami had told journalists on Wednesday October 6 that declaring a state of emergency would ensure that the November 6 governorship election in the state takes place.
Lai Mohammed has now backed Malami, saying it will help to avert a “constitutional crisis” in the state.
Mohammed told newsmen: “In the last couple of weeks, IPOB had imposed sit-at-home on the citizens. They did not allow people to go to schools, markets and there are also high profile killings.
“The AGF said yesterday that the government will do whatever it takes to restore law and order in Anambra and the entire south-east to ensure that symbols and pillars of democracy are not tampered with.
“The forthcoming election in the state is one of the pillars of democracy. Those who are criticising the AGF on this, have they thought for one minute what will happen if the election does not take place in Anambra State on November 6?
“They should bear in mind that under our constitution, a governor cannot spend an extra day beyond the mandate of four years. What will happen will be a constitutional crisis of immense proportions.”
Mohammed also justified why a state of emergency cannot be declared in Northern states. According to him, bandits don’t want to leave Nigeria.
He added: “You do not compare apples with oranges. The bandits in Katsina do not want to leave Nigeria.
“They do not want to declare their own republic and they are not saying there will be no elections. They are primarily criminals.
“It is a disingenuous argument to say that they have killed more people in Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna than they killed in Anambra.”
