Sweeping powers for Obasanjo

ABUJA – Nigerian lawmakers have approved sweeping security measures including powers of detention in the violence-torn state of Plateau, two weeks after President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency there, a senate spokesman said yesterday.

Hundreds of people have been killed in fighting between Christian and Muslim tribes vying for economic and political dominance in the fertile central state of Africa’s most populous country. Obasanjo said the killings, which culminated in a massacre of Muslims in May and sparked reprisal riots against Christians in the northern city of Kano, could have engulfed the whole country in chaos.After declaring the state of emergency on May 18, Obasanjo asked the national assembly in the capital Abuja to approve additional regulations, giving his administration powers to detain suspects, call curfews and stop public meetings.”The eight regulations were approved yesterday,” senate spokesman Henry Ugbolue said.Obasanjo suspended Plateau’s state governor earlier this month, calling him “weak and incompetent”, and replaced him with retired military general Chris Alli.Civil rights leaders say Obasanjo has overstepped his constitutional powers by requesting the increased powers and suspending the governor.”We have launched our case in the Federal High Court in Abuja, to sue, amongst others, the president, the National Assembly and Chris Alli,” said Gani Fawehinmi, a leading human rights lawyer and activist.Obasanjo has warned other governors they will be held responsible for any further crises in their respective states.- Nampa-ReutersObasanjo said the killings, which culminated in a massacre of Muslims in May and sparked reprisal riots against Christians in the northern city of Kano, could have engulfed the whole country in chaos.After declaring the state of emergency on May 18, Obasanjo asked the national assembly in the capital Abuja to approve additional regulations, giving his administration powers to detain suspects, call curfews and stop public meetings.”The eight regulations were approved yesterday,” senate spokesman Henry Ugbolue said.Obasanjo suspended Plateau’s state governor earlier this month, calling him “weak and incompetent”, and replaced him with retired military general Chris Alli.Civil rights leaders say Obasanjo has overstepped his constitutional powers by requesting the increased powers and suspending the governor.”We have launched our case in the Federal High Court in Abuja, to sue, amongst others, the president, the National Assembly and Chris Alli,” said Gani Fawehinmi, a leading human rights lawyer and activist.Obasanjo has warned other governors they will be held responsible for any further crises in their respective states.- Nampa-Reuters