No state of emergency in Plateau- Jonathan

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 00:00 Austine Odo, with agency report

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President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said declaration of a state of emergency is not the solution to the Jos crisis. Addressing a cross-section of the Nigerian community in Ethiopia, the president said, “The crisis is historical between two ethnic groups who must live together. The problem is organic, and declaring a state of emergency will not solve the problem’’. He said with a state of emergency, the governor cannot be removed but only the parliament will be dissolved. He also said in spite of an earlier state of emergency declared by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the state in 2004, the problem still persisted, adding that government would soon arrive at an amicable solution.

There have been several calls for a state of emergency in Plateau State following the recurrence of ethno-religious killings in the state. Despite peace overtures by government and security measures put in place by the security task force in the state, the crisis appears not to be ending.

The state government yesterday said there was no truth in a rumour that a state of emergency had been declared in the state. The rumour circulated on SMS in what the mongers described as a big news. But James Mannok, the Plateau State Director of Press Affairs said in statement that the rumours were wishful thoughts of those who do not wish the state well.

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