Nigerian senate approves emergency but sets terms

ABUJA - The Nigerian Senate has ratified the declaration of a state of emergency in southwestern Ekiti state but warned President Olusegun Obasanjo against using similar measures elsewhere for political ends.

Obasanjo declared the emergency in Ekiti a week ago following what he said was the illegal impeachment of the state governor over corruption charges. Obasanjo said the decision was to stop Ekiti from descending into anarchy.

But with general elections scheduled for next April and impeachment processes under way against several other governors, many politicians expressed fears that Obasanjo might extend emergency rule to other states for political reasons.

These, according to the president's critics, could include getting rid of governors who disagree with his views on who should succeed him. Some opposition politicians also accused him of looking for pretexts to postpone the elections and stay on.

"This distinguished Senate calls on the president to ensure that the 2007 elections will be free, fair, credible and on schedule," senators said in a unanimous resolution after almost six hours of heated discussions behind closed doors.

"(The Senate urges) that all future states of emergency, if at all, shall be discussed at least informally with the National Assembly before proclamation," they added in the resolution read out in the chamber by Senate President Ken Nnamani.

Next year's elections should mark the first democratic transition from one government to another since Africa's most populous nation and top oil producer gained independence from Britain in 1960.

- REUTERS