Extension of emergency rule
After a hectic six months of battling Islamic insurgents under a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, President Goodluck Jonathan came back to the National Assembly early in November 2013, to ask for a six-month extension to enable the armed forces complete the job. The Senate gave its express approval, even though a few of its members from the troubled zone grumbled. The House of Representatives was not so expeditious. It summoned the Service Chiefs on November 20, 2013 to explain in greater details before also granting the President’s request. The Service Chiefs made it clear that more military resources were needed to establish the level of stability in the areas before the emergency rule could be called off, warning that this might go on for a much longer period than expected. We are aware of the displeasure that citizens from those areas have expressed over the extension, particularly given the challenges it imposes on their economic and social activities. T...