[allAfrica.com]  [allAfrica.com_Top_Headlines]


Plateau: Emergency Rule Can't Be Lifted Now - Obasanjo

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
August 19, 2004
Posted to the web August 19, 2004

By Funmi Peter-Omale
Jos
President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday foreclosed lifting the state of emergency
in Plateau State before the expiration of the six months period.
The President, who is on a two-day official visit to the state, said while
addressing citizens at the crisis-ridden Yelwa in Shendam Local Government Area
that his visit was a "mid term inspection," adding that a full term emergency
rule would be better for the state.
Obasanjo was ealier received at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang by the state
Adminisrator Gen Chris Alli (rtd) his wife Dorothy, traditional rulers, Chief
Solomon Lar, top military and police officers and other dignitaries.
He said he was impressed with what he had seen on ground and expressed
happiness with the level of restoration of peace that the Administrator had
achieved.
" Peace has become possible because the citizens co-operated with General
(Chris) Alli. I did not come to make any proclamation. The last time I came,
and I visited Yelwa, I wept. But I am happy today that peace has been restored,
Obasanjo declared." He commended the Administrator's effort and his peace
initiative.
On Tuesday May 19, Obasanjo invoked the provision of Section 305 of the 1999
Consti-tution and declared a state of emergency in Plateau State. following the
protracted ethnic violence.
The President, in a nationwide broadcast, also announced the suspension of all
democratic institutions and the appointment of an administrator, General Chris
Alli to run the affairs of the state for six months duration of the emergency
rule.

   

  =============================================================================
   Copyright © 2004 This Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                         Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  =============================================================================