The Senate will today debate a motion seeking to stop the Imo State Government from going ahead with its planned registration of all northerners residing in the state.
There have been media reports quoting an aide of Governor Rochas Okorocha to the effect that plans were underway to issue identity cards to northerners resident in the state but the governor, in a statement signed by his spokesman on Monday, denied such plans and challenged those spreading the rumor to provide proof of the said registration.
The plan to register all northerners in Imo reportedly arose after some bombs were discovered at the premises of Winners’ Chapel Church in Owerri, the state capital.
Bringing the matter to the notice of senators under constitutional point of order and matters of urgent national importance, Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi (PDP, Bauchi), raised a point of order challenging the unconstitutional action of the Imo State government.
According to him, “I see this action as one that is capable of bringing down this democracy; it’s an apartheid and deprivation of our people in their own country”.
Senator Ningi cited provisions of the constitution which guarantees freedom of movement in the country.
Senate President, David Mark, said Senator Ningi had discussed the matter with him because “it is completely against our constitution”.
Consequently, the senators voted unanimously passing a resolution to consider the matter in plenary Wednesday morning.
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