The National Publicity Secretary of the Igbo apex socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndi'Igbo, Mr. Osita Oganah, in this interview with LEKE BAIYEWU, states the position of the South-East on the declaration of state of emergency in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states over insecurity
W hat is Ohanaeze Ndi'gbo's reaction to President Goodluck Jonathan's declaration of a state of emergency in three northern states?
The position of Ohanaeze's National Executive Committee after a meeting in Enugu, which we are recommending to Ime-Obi — the highest decision making body of all Igbo worldwide — is that we commend President Goodluck Jonathan for rising to the occasion to ensure that law and order are not broken down further in the affected areas. The President has taken a very good decision by preserving all the democratic structures in place in those states. We call for calm and peace in all parts of Nigeria. The Igbo are notable for entrepreneurship and we can only continue to prosper under an atmosphere of peace and security. So, we support President Jonathan on that.
Do you think the military intervention was the best option?
The decision was not reached by the military chiefs; the decision was reached by the National Executive Council, asking for military intervention. The constitution states that whenever any part of Nigeria is threatened, you call in the military to maintain law and order, especially since policemen have been overwhelmed.
Does it mean other troubled states were excluded because the security situation there are under control?
Mr. President is in the position to see and know more than we know. Ohanaeze does not have access to security reports, same with Arewa and Afenifere. For him to have taken the decision, he must have seen that those were the areas where the emergency was necessary, particularly in Borno State. It is hoped that other states with such criminal activities should learn from this. We really sympathise with civilians in those states because they are the ones that will feel the brunt of the military operations.
With what you just said, don't you think human rights might be abused in the process?
No. The military is not in charge; the military is only there to restore law and order. For example, the governors of these states will continue to function, same with the local governments and the state Houses of Assembly. The National Assembly can advise him to declare a full state of emergency. Under a full state of emergency, you cannot have democratic structure.
What the President has done is to be cautious; he has not fully exercised his powers under Section 305 of the Constitution. It is just like a note of warning; he could have done worse than he did. When it was President Olusegun Obasanjo, we all know what he did. He did not give Plateau State the leeway Jonathan has given. We thank God for the kind of President we have at this critical stage. Jonathan is someone that is level-headed and slow to anger, not weak as some people are saying. He is just a calculated person and wants to approach issues with the fear of God.
Do you think the involvement of the military in political activities, including elections, is a threat to our democracy?
Even in the United States, they involve the Marines — their highest cadre of the military. A desperate situation requires a desperate solution. We cannot continue to watch the situation in those states deteriorating; innocent people are being killed. Anything that the President does within the constitution is justifiable. Are military men not Nigerians? Don't they hold a stake? Don't they vote? People look at the military as people coming from another planet. No. They are part of Nigeria and they didn't beg to be invited, it was circumstance that forced the President to call on them.
