The Federal government on Wednesday stated its resolve to go ahead with the November 6 gubernatorial elections in Anambra State, even it means declaring a state of emergency in the state.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, gave the hint while fielding questions from correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the presidential villa, Abuja. He said nothing is ruled out in the determination to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
The minister said: “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;
“So, within the context of these constitutional obligations, of the government or the desire to establish democratic norms and order, there is no possibility that is ruled out;
“The government will certainly do the needful in terms of ensuring that our elections are held in Anambra, in terms of ensuring necessary security is provided, and in terms of ensuring protection is accorded to lives and properties.
“So, what I’m saying in essence, no possibility is out ruled by the government in terms of ensuring the sanctity of our democratic order, in terms of ensuring that our elections in Anambra hold, and you cannot out rule possibilities inclusive of the possibility of a declaration of a state of emergency where it is established, in essence, that there is a failure on the part of the state government to ensure the sanctity of security of lives, properties, and democratic order.
“So, our position as a government is that this election is going to hold. Necessary security in terms of democratic order must certainly prevail for the purpose of this election.
So, we resolve to have these elections. The elections are going to hold and no possibilities are ruled out in terms of ensuring the provision of security, for the purpose of the conduct of the election, as well as Anambra is concerned.”
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