President Goodluck Jonathan has ignored northern leaders who told him not to extend the emergency rule in the three north-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, arguing that it has not solved the problem of insecurity in the region.

In a letter to the Senate, President Jonathan urged it to approve the extension of emergency rule in the three states by six months. He informed the upper parliament that even though the security situation in the region has improved, there is still much to do to end the security challenges in the affected states.

The letter was read on the floor of the Senate by Deputy Senate President Ike Enweremadu, who presided over plenary in the absence of Senate President David Mark.

•Photo shows President Jonathan in his commander-in-chief’s attire.