Jonathan: We may declare state of emergency in Kaduna, Bauchi – Daily Trust

President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that the Federal Government might be forced to declare a state of emergency in Kaduna and Bauchi states if the security situation in the two states do not improve to allow the conduct of the rescheduled governorship and Houses of Assembly elections billed for tomorrow. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had deferred elections in the two states out of the states that recorded post election violence.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after casting his vote in his hometown of Otuoke in Bayelsa State, Jonathan said there was no reason why the elections could not go on as scheduled as there was adequate arrangement in the two states.

He said that even if the emergency would be imposed, it may not necessarily lead to the ouster of the state governors, who are all from the ruling PDP.

Jonathan explained that even though Nigerians have a misconception about state of emergency, its imposition was an extreme measure applicable only as last resort, noting that the people of the states were of the belief that the situation has gone very bad.

He said, “Elections will take place on Thursday. Let us observe what will happen today first before the state of emergency.