Declaring IPOB a 'terrorist organisation' is unconstitutional - Saraki

Senate president Bukola Saraki has announced that the declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group by the Nigerian army is unconstitutional. 

The Senate president also claimed that the proscription of the IPOB by the southeast governors is unlawful. In a statement by Saraki, he urged all parties involved to allow peace reign while he and the National Assembly begin a thorough investigation of the crises. 

He said:"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."

 Saraki, while stating that the army's decision to declare IPOB a terrorist group did not follow due process, said he is sure President Buhari will do the needful by initiating the right process.

He said: "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." He, however, commended the military effort in restoring peace to Abia state and all other southeast cities after the crises with the IPOB.