By Emma Ogbuehi
President Muhammadu Buhari may not have a hand in the plot by some officials of the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Anambra State before the November 6 governorship election.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, threatened on Wednesday that the Federal Government will declare a state of emergency in Anambra if the violence in the state continues.
He made the threat at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the presidential villa, Abuja.
His declaration was greeted with immediate uproar from across the Southeast.
But the Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano disclosed on Thursday that the threat to declare the state of emergency was not President Buhari’s idea.
Obiano disclosed this to State House Correspondents after a meeting with Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said he reported the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to the President on the matter.
The Governor also described the threat as unfortunate, wondering why he had not contemplated the imposition of emergency rule in northern States during massive killings occasioned by banditry.
“That’s a very unfortunate comment by the Attorney-General. Malami. Very unfortunate. I also reported that to the President and this is not in the books of the President because he knows that Anambra has been the safest state in Nigeria for seven years plus,” he said.
He said he would call the Attorney General to express his mind to him over the suggestion, insisting apart from the recent security crisis, Amambra had been the most peaceful State in the south east.