To protect lives and property as well as the sanctity of democracy and election, the Federal Government of Nigeria has threaten to impose a state of emergency in Anambra state, if the spate of violence persists.

Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Attorney of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, declared that no possibility will be ruled out inclusive of a declaration of a state of emergency in the determination to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

His words: “when our national security is attacked, and the sanctity of our constitutionally guaranteed democracy is threatened, no possibility is ruled out. As a government, we have a responsibility to ensure the sustenance of our democratic order. As a government, we have a responsibility to provide security to life and properties.

“So, within the context of these constitutional obligations, of the government or the desire to establish democratic norms and order, there is no possibility that state of emergency is out ruled.

“The government will certainly do the needful in terms of ensuring that our elections are held in a Anambra in terms of ensuring necessary security is provided, and in terms of ensuring protection is accorded to lives and properties.

“So, what I’m saying in essence, no possibility is out ruled by government in terms of ensuring the sanctity of our democratic order, in terms of ensuring that our elections in Anambra holds, and you cannot out rule possibilities inclusive of the possibility of declaration or state of emergency where it is established, in essence, that there is a failure on the part of the state government to ensure the sanctity of security of lives, properties and democratic order.

“So, our position as a government is if these elections are going to hold, necessary security, in terms of democratic order, must certainly prevail for the purpose of this election.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission has been worried by the state of insecurity in Anambra state as it continues to plan towards the November 6, governorship. The Commission has stepped up series of meetings to review and strategise towards holding a peaceful, free and fair election.

Yesterday (Tuesday) INEC met with the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno. The meeting, which was held at the INEC conference room in Abuja, had in attendance the Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, heads of various security agencies, Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) as well as senior electoral officials.

Speaking at the occasion Professor Yakubu decried the worsening insecurity in Anambra, warning that the rate of attacks in the state may affect the commission’s plan for the poll if not properly tackled.

He said the commission is particularly concerned about the safety of staff and Adhoc staff that will help in the conduct of the election, adding that they need strong assurances of their safety during and after the election.

According to the INEC boss, information at his disposal indicated that the attackers who have unleashed mayhem in the south-eastern state do not want the governorship election to hold next month.