Senate President Bukola Saraki has faulted the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by South East Governors.
The nation’s Number Three Citizen also described as unconstitutional the categorisation of the group as a ‘terrorist organisation’ by the Nigerian military.
In a statement he personally signed on Monday, Saraki insisted that due process was not followed in the proscription of IPOB and its declaration as a terrorist organisation, disclosing that the Senate would meet with security chiefs over its clash with IPOB members in the region.
He also cautioned the President not to overstretch the military, adding that the National Assembly is working towards strengthening paramilitary agencies to help in curbing civil unrest in the country.
“I also wish to state that the announcement of the proscription of the group known as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by Governors of the South-east states and the categorization of the group as a ‘terrorist organisation’ by the Nigerian military are unconstitutional and does not follow due process.
“Our laws make clear provisions for taking such actions and without the due process being followed, such declaration cannot have effect. I am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process.
“This will go a long way in demonstrating to the world at large that we are a country that operate by laid down process under every circumstance. So, those who have been hammering on this point should maintain their cool,” Saraki stated.
He called for calm and restraint by all Nigerians with a view to solving the worsening security challenges in some parts of the country.
He called for caution in the military’s use of force against unarmed citizens.
“However, in the face of provocation, the military should allow themselves to be guided by their training which emphasizes respect for human rights, even in war. Also, giving the nature of this particular situation, the military has every reason to be hesitant in the use of force.”
The Nigerian Army had deployed troops to the South-East for what it termed ‘Operation Python Dance II’, to halt growing tension in the area over calls for Biafra to secede from Nigeria.
Last week, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, even as ex-President Goodluck Jonathan had urged Buhari to convene a Council of State meeting to get the input of all ex-Presidents of the Federation, former Heads of the Government, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, all serving governors amongst others, with a view to finding a lasting solution towards growing tension in some parts of the country.
But Saraki pointed out that upon resumption from recess by September 26, the National Assembly will ’embark on a fact-finding investigation aimed’ at unravelling the military’s invasion of the region.
“It is quite clear that all the facts are not yet known. We assure Nigerians that there will be no cover up. We intend to lay the facts bare.
“On a long term, we want to remind Nigerians that the reason for embarking on constitution review by the National Assembly was to enable us look into issues that are agitating the minds of Nigerians and creating tension among us. We have promised that the exercise would be continuous. We intend to keep that promise by further taking decisions that would strengthen and improve on our structures. The Eighth National Assembly, on resumption, will play its constitutional role by addressing all those issues that are agitating the minds of our people and over which they feel so strong. I appeal to all our people to always direct their grievances to the right channels,” he said.
