IPOB: You ‘Can’t Cry More Than The Bereaved,’ Chief Whip Slams Saraki

Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa has flayed Senate President Bukola Saraki for describing as “unconstitutional”, Nigerian military’s declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation.

Saraki had said on Monday that the Nigerian “laws make clear provisions for taking such actions and without the due process being followed, such declaration cannot have effect.”

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In reaction, however, Ado-Doguwa described the Senate President’s comment as “a mere political statement” from “a controversial leader.”

“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 Chief Whip said.

He continued, “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.

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“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,” he said.

It would be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, had also argued against Saraki’s statement, saying the Army’s declaration of IPOB as terrorist group was officially permitted.

“We will refer him [Saraki] back to the constitution. There are several provisions that give us those responsibilities and also to carry out such task as duly assigned by the government or by the constituted authority. Be rest assured that we don’t have any other role that is outside the constitution,” Buratai had said.

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