The federal government said on Wednesday that it is prepared to declare an emergency in Anambra to protect the integrity of the state’s governorship poll on November 6.
Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, offered the hint while fielding questions from reporters at the presidential palace in Abuja at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Nothing, he claimed, is off the table in the effort to ensure a smooth operation.
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 out ruled.
“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 a 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 in this election is going to hold necessary security in terms of democratic order most 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.”
