The President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has
bemoaned the recent proclamation proscribing the Indigenous People of Biafra otherwise
known as IPOB by the Governors of the South-east states and its classification as
a ‘terrorist’ organisation by the Defence Headquarters are both
unconstitutional, which lack due process, reports ITRealms.
Saraki gave this position in a press statement personally endorsed
on Monday and made available to ITRealms, saying that there is clear position
of the law in taking such a position and without due process being followed, it
has no 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 operates by laid down process under every
circumstance. So, those who have been hammering on this point should maintain
their cool,” he said.
The National Assembly, he said, would investigate the crisis
that erupted in the South-East leading to the clash between the military and
IPOB members, urging all Nigerians to maintain peace and show brotherly love.
Part of the statement reads:
“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 tranquility and go about their lawful
business. This crisis will not benefit anybody but would only expose innocent
people to unwarranted danger.”
“At this point, Nigerians outside the South-east who have worked
to ensure that the crisis does not spread to other parts of the country deserve
our commendation. I therefore call for continued efforts to sustain peace,
unity and stability in all our communities so as to ensure that all residents,
no matter their religion, tribe and creed remain protected and safe under the
law.”
“It is also important that commentators and purveyors of
information on all media platforms should be conscious of the need, at all
times, to maintain the unity of the country. Therefore, they must refrain from
circulating information that has the potential for aggravating the crisis. We
should all realize, as individuals and as a collective, that Nigeria is all we
have and it is in our individual and collective interests that we do not stoke
the fire of crisis and fan the ember of discord through the message we are
spreading. We must all protect and strengthen our country rather than
contributing to her collapse and disintegration.”
“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.”
“We must commend the military for their efforts in restoring
peace to different parts of the country and sustaining the unity of the
country. 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.”
“Also, it is my view that we should not over-stretch the
military. We need to protect our military against dissipation of their fighting
strength. And this means we need to strengthen the police and equip them with
the capacity to deal with civil crisis. That is why we, in the aNational
Assembly, are already reviewing the Police Act and also looking at the
possibility of enabling other para-military agencies to help in curbing civil
unrest and maintenance of law and order.”
“I want to also make it clear that the National Assembly
intends to embark on a fact-finding investigation aimed at determining what
actually happened during the period of the military exercise in the South-east.
We want to be able to sift the facts from the fiction and determine who did
what. 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.”
“Let me further reiterate the need for all leaders of
thought -political. religious and traditional- to continue to engage with our
people on the need to maintain peace and be our brothers’ keepers.”
Uboshe Uboshe/GEE
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