Senators Flay Identification Card Project In Imo

The Senate last Thurs
day condemned the proposed Imo State Government policy on the issuance of Identification Card  to Northerners residing in the state as a way of preventing attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents.
The senators’ rage over the contemplated policy, was sequel to a motion moved against it by the Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central), who quoted relevant sections of the nation’s constitution, which the proposed policy contravenes.
Consequently the upper chamber called on President Jonathan to direct security agencies not to partner with Imo state government in the implementation of the policy and also urged Governor Rochas Okorocha,  to rescind the policy immediately.
Ningi’s motion was titled, “ The Issuance of Identification Card to Northerners residing in Imo State – Urgent call for policy reversal”.
He noted with serious concern, the recent government policy statement issued by the state government , which directed all Northerners residing or staying in the state to be issued with an identification card.
He argued that the policy contravened the provisions of section 41(1) and 42(1) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The section guaranteed among others, free movement of Nigerians from any part of the country to the other and right of residence without any inhibition or condition whatsoever.
He added that the  policy if not reversed was tantamount to gross abuse of the citizens rights and if not checked, could throw the entire country into chaos and threaten the survival of the nation’s democracy.