Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said the declaration by the
Nigerian military that the Indigenous People of Biafra is a terrorist
organisation is unconstitutional.
He also said the ban placed on the group’s activities by the South-East Governors did not follow due process.
In a statement on Monday, Saraki said the National Assembly will investigate the crisis in the South-East.
However,
Saraki, was quick to commend the military for maintaining the peace in
the South-East but added that their declaration of the group as a
terrorist organisation was unconstitutional.
He said,
“I
also wish to state that the announcement of the proscription of the
group known as Indigenous People of Biafra by Governors of the
South-East states and the categorization of the group as a ‘terrorist
organisation’ by the Nigerian military are unconstitutional and do 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.
“Following
the clash between the military and members of the Indigenous People of
Biafra (IPOB), I hereby call for calm and restraint by all Nigerians so
that we would all jointly find the right solution to the current problem
rather than worsening the crisis.
“Our brothers and sisters in
the South-East, in particular, should continue to maintain peace and
tranquillity and go about their lawful businesses. This crisis will not
benefit anybody but would only expose innocent people to unwarranted
danger.”
The senate president commended all outside
the South-East who had worked to ensure that the crisis did not spread
to other parts of the country.