The Senate on Monday declared that the labelling of the pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra, as a terrorists group by the military is unconstitutional and of no effect.
It also said the proscription of the group by governors of the South East was illegal.
According to the Senate, the military and the governors did not follow the right procedure as laid down by the constitution of the country to label the group as such.
Saraki who made the declaration in a statement he personally signed and made available to The Next Edition also stressed that the National Assembly would investigate the crisis that emanated while the Operation Python Dance by the military in the South East of the country lasted.
His words: “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.”
Saraki said although the military should be commended for restoring peace in the South East, he cautioned that “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.”
He added that given the nature of the particular situation, the military had every reason to be hesitant in the use of force.
He said rather than engage the military in internal crisis, the government should strengthen the police and equip them with the capacity to deal with civil crisis.
“That is why we, in the National 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,” he said.
Speaking on the plans by the Senate to probe the military exercise in the South East and the crisis that ensued, the Senate President said the Senate would make the facts known.
Said he: “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.”
He added that one of the reasons for embarking on constitution review by the National Assembly was to be able to look into issues that were agitating the minds of Nigerians and creating tension among them.
“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,” he said.
While thanking all those that contributed to dousing the tension in the South East, Saraki called on all leaders of thought – political, religious and traditional – to continue to engage with their people on the need to maintain peace and be their brothers’ keepers.
