“We are conscious of the fact that there was lawlessness, there was anarchy and mayhem in most of the places that are involved in the declaration of state of emergency and we appreciate the fact that government must take every possible step to bring this to an end as quickly as possible with minimal loss of lives and materials.

Asks Jonathan to  properly fund military operations

“At the end of the day, we would like to support the Federal Government  in this proclamation of the state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, but we also would like to remind the President that the Federal Government must fund the operations there properly and adequately and we must also remind the Federal Government. As the operation is going on, relief and medical materials should as quickly as possible be moved to the area so that the people can benefit from government’s presence.

Appeals to Boko Haram

“We are conscious of the fact that this problem ought to have been brought to an end long ago but it is better late than never. We want to appeal to the Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists that it is still not too late to cooperate with the forces that are there in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe so that we can bring this to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible.

“We must emphasise that at the end of the day, a military solution is not the final solution to the problem on ground, it is to win the hearts of the citizens in the states that are affected and indeed, in the whole country that we see a final solution to the problem as we see it today.

“I believe that when the whole military operation is over, the Federal Government will ensure that development gets to these areas as quickly as possible. We implore the Federal Government to use the carrot and stick policy to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible.

Urges cooperation from other states

‘’While we support the declaration of State of Emergency in the three states that are involved, we urge the other states that are not directly involved to cooperate with the Federal Government and indeed, the state governments that are involved so that we can bring this to an end.

“The summary of our discussion is that the democratic structures will remain in place, the governors and local government chairmen, have as it were, the backing of the Federal Government and they should be supported maximally to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion.”

Senators absent

Mark said 100 senators were present at the day’s session and said the nine senators that were absent were out on essential assignments.

Among the senators absent were Senators Ibrahim Musa, CPC, Niger North; Senator Remi Tinubu, ACN, Lagos Central; Senator Danjuma Goje, PDP, Gombe Central; Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, Borno North; Senator Ahmed Lawan, ANPP, Yobe North; Senator Olushola Adeyeye, ACN, Osun Central and Senator Babafemi Ojudu, ACN, Ekiti Central.