President Muhammadu Buhari meets with Anambra State Governor, H.E. Chief Willie Obiano this morning at the State House, Abuja. Photo Courtesy: Bashir Ahmad (Personal Assistant to the President)

Anambra Governor Willie Obiano has said the threat of a declaration of a state of emergency in the State was not President Muhammadu Buhari’s idea.

Obiano disclosed this to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Buhari.

He also said he had reported the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to the President over the matter.

The Governor also described the threat as unfortunate, wondering why Malami had not contemplated the imposition of emergency rule in northern states where there have been killings occasioned by banditry.

According to him: “Well, that’s a very unfortunate comment by the Attorney-General. Malami. Very, very unfortunate. I also reported that to the President and this is not in the books for the president because he knows that Anambra has been the safest state in Nigeria for seven years plus.

“These invaders from outside Anambra state, from the neighbouring towns, we are going to deal with them. We’re already working, there’s nothing.

“Even to contemplate state of emergency is unfortunate, look at what is happening in the north; they kill dozens every day. Because less than 15 people were killed in Anambra in two weeks is that a reason for somebody to call for a state of emergency?

“That’s a very unfortunate comment by Malami. I will call him to express reservation on those kinds of comments, he shouldn’t try that.

“Anambra is doing well and don’t forget that Malami is on the National Campaign Committee for the APC candidate. So, if that’s their strategy, then they failed already.

“Come to the ballot box, APGA will win and win hands down. They are trying to see how they can destabilise us. No, APC has no room in Anambra, there’s no party called APC in Anambra. Anambra is APGA

“I just finished meeting with the President and I mentioned it and the President didn’t suggest that. The President is firm, he wants a peaceful election in Anambra State.

“He wants a free and fair election in Anambra State, that’s the President for you. But if people in his party are going around making insinuations, using his name to do things, the President clearly told me that he does not support that full stop

“The comments by Malami are very unfortunate. He shouldn’t have made that assertion at all because we don’t have any challenge in Anambra.

“What happened for the period of two weeks is just a flash in the pan. Anambra has always been the safest state in Nigeria under my leadership for seven and a half years, so this little hiccup will not warrant his comment there.

“Why didn’t he make those comments in Kaduna, in Jos, Imo State, in Zamfara? Why is he making that kind of assertion and we have an election by the corner? There’s no reason to make that assertion.”

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