Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has attacked Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over his comment that declaration of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Nnamdi Kanu, as terrorists, was unconstitutional.
Saraki had stated 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 categorisation 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.”
“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.”
Reacting, Ado-Doguwa said Saraki’s declaration was “a mere political statement”.
His words: “I am sure the Senate President was only expressing his personal opinion, which I further believe was not a good one in the given circumstances.
“The Nigerian Armed forces in my opinion are doing their best professionally and in the best interest of a united Nigeria. Even the south-eastern state governors have declared the activities of Kanu’s IPOB as illegal and therefore proscribed. He (Senate President) can’t cry more than the bereaved.
“For me, the recent comment made by the Senate President on this matter was a mere political statement that would only portray him as a controversial leader. Considering the attacks meted out to innocent Nigerians by the IPOB group in the South-East and indeed the nationalistic conduct of the northern governors and the prompt action they took to stop possible reprisals in the North, the Senate President’s statement was to say the least unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari will today direct the Nigerian Army to leave the Abia state.
The decision, it was gathered, was to douse tension that has enveloped the region following onslaught against the IPOB by soldiers.
Source:Daily Times
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