The Governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano on Thursday condemned the remark made by Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) calling for a state of emergency in Anambra State ahead of November 6 governorship election in view of the incessant killings in the state.
Obiano who was rattled by the remark rushed to State House on Thursday to seek audience with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The AGF on Wednesday said “no possibility will be ruled out inclusive of a declaration of a state of emergency in the determination to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
“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.”
Obiano who emerged from the President office complex visibly irked by the remarks, told newsmen in the State House pointedly that Malami’s remark was unfortunate and that President Muhammadu Buhari is not in support of the action.
The governor, who met with President Muhammadu Buhari, said he has been assured that Buhari was only interested in a free and fair election in the scheduled governorship exercise in the state, citing the example of his (president’s) three previous attempts to win an election until his fourth endeavour.
Obiano described Malami’s statement as unfortunate and wondered why he had not contemplated the imposition of emergency rule in some states in the north where, he said, there had been killings left, right and center.
The governor vowed to call the Attorney General to express his dismay over the suggestion, maintaining that apart from the recent security crisis, Anambra state had been the most peaceful in the southeast.
Obiano also rejected assertions that members of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state house of assembly had defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC), saying that what happened was that the members were given N100 million each to join the APC.
He said the members of the state house of Assembly were still stakeholders in the state’s ruling party, APGA.