“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 categorisation of the group as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian military is unconstitutional and did not follow due process.
Here are comments by other compatriots about his comment…
Olaleye Olawale
I don’t know if it was deliberate to misrepresent Saraki’s view on the IPOB matter. He simply said those who designated and proscribed IPOB do not have the right and powers to do so; that due process was not followed and was certain the president would do the needful. Period! He never said IPOB is not a terrorist group. Read the statement again, please.
Victor Oriola
It is quite unfortunate that people hardly look at issues objectively this days. Most of the discussion is either for or against. I think we need to determine our irreducible minimum standards on issues going forward.
Alhaji Wasiu Adedoyin Banjo
Saraki knows what he is doing, his voice is the only one in government that can rein in the Military, which court will agree to declare IPOB a terrorist organisation. The thing doesn’t add up. Saraki has just used the foolishness of the FG to endeared himself to the Igbos the more
Victor Ogwezzy
I really wonder the hullabaloo over this matter. IPOB is not a registered organisation, it has no legal existence in the first place and their activities can be outlawed by any constituted authority as long as their actions are seen to be inimical to the society. They can’t even sue anybody.
Kola Ologbondiyan
The President of the Senate, ABS, did not need to add his voice to the cacophony of lexical illegalities flowing in our polity. That declaration can only come from the temple of justice not the hallowed chamber of the Senate…The Senate makes law. It does not make interpretation. Nullity, void, unconstitutional are the languages of the bench not the chair where the SP seats.
Ojo Maduekwe
The president will do the needful. But as it stands, until he does, the FG having not followed due process, IPOB is not a terrorist group, yet.
Eda Olorun
But the question is all this while, I have not read anywhere Sàràkí make a statement as the the activity of the IPOB. Not condemn or warn. It is now he is just waking up. And if he believes the Military has no right, he was sitting there all this while not thinking or making move just wait till wrong move is made and start talking.
Otunba Rasheed Alausa
Then! Saraki should on a personal note proscribed IPOB . traitor
Michael Ikechukwu Ofuowoicho
I am certain you never took your time to read the content of what you shared. “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.” – Saraki. Saraki is simply saying due process should be followed if at all IPOB is to be declared a Terrorist Organization. Stop being unnecessary judgmental because of your sudden hate for the SP!
Bamgbose John
In all intent and purposes, we have laws that regulate when an organization can be declared as a terrorist organization. That procedure to my mind has not been followed. However, the leadership of the organization can be charged for terrorism. There are members who subscribed to the philosophy of non-violent agitation. It will be most unfair to label all of them as terrorists…
Akin Oyawale
No military has the power in the world to proscribe any organisation in a democracy except during a state of emergency which is not the case. Seems you will prefer a dictator.
Jacob Durojaiye
I expect this man, Saraki to join hands with other reasonable leaders that are looking for means of solving the problems of Nigeria, instead, when ever he opens his mouth, its smelly farts that are more pungent than that of a spoilt egg that will come out. Instead of saying things that will encourage the army that has doused the tension of IPOB, he has contradicted them and discouraged them. He is the only one that is ‘wise’. He has constituted himself into a government in a government, yet, he claims to be an APC member. God, please safe us from the hands of this senate.