Senate
President Bukola Saraki has dismissed the categorization of the
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation by the
Nigerian Army, calling it unconstitutional.
Saraki
disclosed this in a press statement issued on Monday, September 18,
2017, where he also criticised the proscription of the group by the South-East Governors’ Forum.
The
leader of the upper legislative chamber argued that the proscription
and categorization of the group does not follow any due process as made
clear by the provisions of the country’s laws.
As
a result, he said the declarations are meaningless as they won’t take
any effect until the proper channels are followed, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to initiate the process the right way.
He said,
“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.”
After a week of violent clashes between IPOB members and the Nigerian Army in Abia state, the separatist group was branded a “militant terrorist organisation” in a statement by Director, Defence Information (DDI), Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, on Friday, September 15.
After an emergency meeting in Enugu, the South East Governors’ Forum announced the proscription of activities of the group later on Friday.
Chairman of the forum, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi requested the group and other such groups to articulate their grievances and send to the forum.