Saraki's statement on pro-Biafra group is merely political - Reps Chief Whip

The Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has condemned Senate President Bukola Saraki over his statement on IPOBs activities.

Ado-Doguwa said Saraki’s declaration over the Army's pronouncement of the IPOB as a terrorist group, was “a mere political statement” that portrayed the nation’s Number Three citizen as “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 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. 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.

ALSO READ: Saraki says Biafran group not yet a terrorist organisation

On Monday, September 18, 2017, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said the pronouncement by the Nigerian military that the Indigenous People of Biafra is a terrorist organisation is unconstitutional.

He also said the ban placed on the group’s activities by the South-East governors did not follow due process.