Recall that Nigerians unanimously embraced the tagging of Boko Haram as a terrorist organization which was obviously and simply by a declaration made by United States of America. “For Saraki to have in the first place said declaration by military of the sovereign nation of Nigeria has committed unconstitutionality for declaring IPOB, which has obviously done no less than Boko Haram did, it makes one feel like getting angry,” a respondent said, saying the Senate President should have been able to explain why another country making such declaration is constitutional whereas the country itself making the declaration is unconstitutional.
The Nigerian Senate has clarified its stand on the declaration of a secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a “Militant Terrorist Organization” by the Nigerian military and the ban placed on the group by the Southeast Governors.
Recall that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had said the declaration by the Nigerian military that the IPOB is a terrorist organization is unconstitutional.
“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 organization’ 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 an effect. I am sure the President will do the needful by initiating the right process,” Saraki said but did not explain how Nigeria and its people came about accepting Boko Haram, which is another group that was long overdue for a tag of terrorism, as terrorist group.
Recall that Nigerians unanimously embraced the tagging of Boko Haram as a terrorist organization which was obviously and simply by a declaration made by United States of America. “For Saraki to have in the first place said declaration by military of the sovereign nation of Nigeria has committed unconstitutionality for declaring IPOB, which has obviously done no less than Boko Haram did, it makes one feel like getting angry,” a respondent said, saying the Senate President should have been able to explain why another country making such declaration is constitutional whereas the country itself making the declaration is unconstitutional.
Noting the discomfort his comment had created in the land, however, Senate President Saraki came up with a swift clarification.
He said, “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.”
After the statement of the Senate President, many interpretations were given, with some saying Saraki is against the Nigerian Government.
