36 State Assemblies speakers support Buhari’s use of military against civil unrest

Speakers of the House of Assemblies of the 36 states of the federation have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use all security agencies to checkmate activities of groups that could lead to breach of peace in the country.

This is coming as some Nigerians have cautioned against the use of military to address civil unrest as currently ongoing in the South-eastern part of the country.

A clash that resulted between Nigerian Army and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following the military exercise codenamed ‘Operation Python Dance’ in the South-east, allegedly left many members and non-members of the group dead. Incidents of several human rights abuses have also been reported.

However, in a special session of the speakers that took place at the Imo State House of Assembly, adopting a motion raised by the state’s Majority leader Lugard Osuji, and sponsored by all the 36 speakers, they urged the President to use all security forces at his disposal to ensure there is peace in the country.

The speakers resolved that, “The President is urged to direct all security agencies to monitor the activities of the groups and ensure that perpetrators of violence and breach of peace are promptly and decisively dealt with in accordance with the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The violent approach adopted by the members of the various ethnic, political and religious groups whose actions are threatening the unity and territorial integrity of Nigeria is hereby condemned.

“Any ethnic group or persons that have complaints or grievances should channel such complaints or grievances through their elected representatives at the Federal or state levels.

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“All ethnic, political and religious groups, herdsmen, farmers, aggrieved ethnic groups and agitators are urged to stop all hostilities and any act that is capable of triggering crisis.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker from Ondo State, Bamidele Oleyelogun, expressed reservation on the decision. He argued that it would have been appropriate for the speakers to examine reasons for the various agitations.

“Why don’t we ask why those people agitating are doing so? We must know their reasons, especially now that we are talking about power devolution,” he said.

 

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