NIGERIA GENERAL ELECTIONS: FEMALE MUSLIM CANDIDATES

25th October, 2010

PRESS RELEASE:

MUSLIM WOMEN AND 2011 ELECTIONS

The Nigerian nation is making preparations for the next general elections which are expected to take place in the year 2011. Already, new political parties are being formed and registered while candidates are emerging across the country for the presidential, gubernatorial, the National Assembly as well as local government councils. Notable among the emerging candidates are Muslim women.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) wishes to make it clear that Islam permits Muslims to engage in politics, to vote and be voted for, to exercise their civic rights and to fulfill their civic responsibilities. Homo sapiens are seen in Islam as vicegerents of Allah. According to the Glorious Qur’an, sovereignty belongs to Allah (Qur’an 2:107, 3:26, 189; 5:17, 40; etc).

All rulers, from the president of Nigeria to the chairmen of local governments are proxies of Allah (Qur’an 6:165; 10:14, 73; 35:39; 7:69; etc). Islam holds that leaders will be held accountable for their deeds and misdeeds Yaom al-Qiyamah (the Day of Judgement).

It therefore behoves Muslim politicians to play the game according to the dictates of their faith, not according to their whims and caprices. In this regard, MURIC urges Muslim women not to shy away from politics. Female Muslim aspirants should pursue their legitimate and Islam-compliant dreams with vigour. We call on the husbands of such aspirants to support their wives morally and financially.

 

However, MURIC wishes to remind female Muslim aspirants of an important proviso in their engagement in politics, namely, that a Muslim woman is not permitted to aspire to be president of Nigeria or governor of a state. She is free to contest for the posts of vice president or deputy governor. The wrong impression must not be created that Muslim women are second class citizens. Nay, they are special creatures. Women are to be honoured. They are the mothers of society. Allah made them mothers, not fathers.

Fathers are heads of families. Just as fathers cannot become mothers, the mothers must not seek to play the role of fathers. Muslim women are the protectors of mankind and sustainers of nobility. The emergence of women who seek to turn the natural order is responsible for the present turmoil in society: high rate of crime, lack of respect for human life, loss of compassion among mankind, greed of unimaginable proportion, broken marriages, child abuse, etc. The only solution to the confusion in the world today is for the woman to go back to her traditional role of a true mother of the society.

We therefore appeal to female Muslim aspirants who are eyeing the highest political posts in the country or in their states to reconsider their stands and respect their faith. Failure to step down from such high aspiration tantamounts to aggression against Allah and arrogance before their creator. Refusal to abide by this Islamic tradition will be regarded as a belligerent confrontation of Muslim voters and the outcome can only be overwhelming defeat. MURIC will mobilize Muslim voters against female Muslim aspirants who transgress the limit. We will ensure that they lose with ignominy.

Finally, we warn the various political parties in the country to resist the temptation of fielding Muslim women for the highest posts at both the presidential and governorship levels. Any political party that ignores this warning stands the risk of losing the votes of Muslims to other parties.

Dr. Is-haq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
234-818-211-9714

APPEAL COURT RULING ON EKITI GOVERNORSHIP

18th October, 2010

PRESS RELEASE:

EKITI GOVERNORSHIP JUDGEMENT: WE RUN A DEFECTIVE LEGAL SYSTEM

The Court of Appeal in its latest judgement on Friday ruled that the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi on the largest number of votes in the 2007 gubernatorial election in the state. Fayemi was therefore sworn in as Ekiti governor on Saturday. It will be recalled that similar court judgements on elections had taken place in other states of the federation in the past.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) salutes the judiciary for this bold pronouncement. The fact that the judgement is unanimous among the five judges is a serious indictment on the system which perpetuated this illegality. We congratulate the newly sworn-in governor on his well-deserved victory and laud his steadfastness in the struggle for justice.


MURIC is however deeply disturbed by the paradox of Nigeria’s electoral laws which make it possible for a loser to retain a stolen mandate for as long as three and a half years out of a four-year tenure. Justice delayed is justice denied. It is a sad commentary on Nigeria’s party-politics. It is alarming that the definition of our own democracy is now seen as ‘government of the loser by the rigger for the tiny cabal’. This is contrary to the dream of the founders of the Nigerian nation. It is also a sharp contradiction of the generally accepted meaning of democracy everywhere in the world. Nigeria’s democracy is a sham.


This judgement and the attendant revelations and implications have once again exposed the National Assembly and its procrastination tactics on the amendment of the Electoral Act. Nigerians must put their representatives to task. Now we know why the chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, raised an alarm on the issue of the Electoral Act. The status quo is designed to benefit political charlatans and recycled tyrants to retain stolen mandates ad infinitum.


MURIC challenges the National Assembly to publish within seven days facts and reasons delaying the amendment of the Electoral Act or be declared ‘accessories after the fact’. It is our humble opinion that the rigging of the 2011 elections may well have started and the principle of ‘one man one vote’ may remain a dream in Nigeria for a very long time.


Dr. Is-haq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
234-803-346-4974

NEW BOMB THREAT IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

15th October, 2010



PRESS RELEASE:


NEW MEND BOMB THREAT: AN ILL WIND

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) allegedly issued another bomb threat yesterday, Friday 15th October, 2010. According to the militant group, another bomb would soon explode in Abuja. It however promised to issue a thirty minute warning before the explosion to allow evacuation.


We sympathize with the people of the Niger Delta and identify with their legitimate demands. Successive governments of this country have exploited the region to enrich an infinitesimally small group of capitalist comprador bourgeoisie. The reckless rape committed on the resources of the region coupled with acts of dehumanization, oppression and persecution of activists from the region resulted in the militarization of Niger Delta youths to the level that we are witnessing today.

Nonetheless, we condemn acts of violence aimed at nonmilitary targets. MEND should reappraise its attack strategies. Exploding bombs capable of endangering innocent civilians is totally unacceptable. Indiscriminate use of explosives is capable of robbing MEND of the moral support which it enjoys among members of the civil society as well as the generality of Nigerians as a whole.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) reaffirms its avowed stand against violence. It will only lead to the death of innocent people and the destruction of properties belonging to ordinary citizens. All but a few vehicles destroyed in the October 1 blasts belonged to ordinary citizens who may not be able to replace them for some time. Violence leads to a vicious cycle of further violence. It is an ill wind that blows no one any good.


We advise MEND leaders to sheath their sword so that the ongoing amnesty programme may take proper shape. We call on the Federal Government to expedite action on the Niger Delta question in the interest of peace, justice and progress. We assert that addressing the grudges of the Niger Delta people is the road to justice and fair play. Bold steps must be taken by government to show its seriousness. Those who want peace and security must not play with the future of people. Justice is the soul of peace.


Dr. Is-haq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
234-803-346-4974

THREAT TO FREE AND FAIR ELECTION IN NIGERIA

                                                                                            5th October, 2010

PRESS RELEASE:

ARREST OF DOKPESI: THREAT TO FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA 

Nigerian security agents have confirmed the arrest of nine suspects for their alleged roles in the bomb blasts which occurred in Abuja on October 1, 2010, the nation’s independence day. The explosions killed eight people instantly and injured many others. Two of those critically injured have reportedly died in the hospital. Another twist in the ongoing investigation into the terror attack is the alleged arrest of Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of the Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Committee. Dokpesi was invited by security agents on Sunday 3rd October.






The alleged arrest and subsequent detention of Dokpesi must attract the attention of the Nigerian civil society in view of his current position as a key figure in the opposition camp flying the campaign flag of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd), a former Nigerian military head of state. Babangida is one of the presidential aspirants challenging the incumbent, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in the 2011 presidential election.






This arrest is capable of throwing fear into the hearts of opposition figures, leaving a clear field for the incumbent. Such a development constitutes blatant rape of democracy since a free and fair election can no longer be guaranteed. The Nigerian government is already double-speaking. Jonathan exonerates the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which issued a warning thirty minutes before the blast and also made a post-explosion claim of responsibility. Yet the same government gave the green light to the South African authorities to arrest, detain and charge MEND leader, Henry Okha to court for the blasts.






The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) charges the Nigerian government to eschew political vendetta and witch-hunting. Government must avoid strong-arm tactics in dealing with the opposition. Throwing the opposition campaign team into disarray is an old trick used by those who will not brook opposition and intolerance of opposition is the hallmark of dictatorship. The Nigerian security agencies must not be turned into an African Gestapo if the dream of true reform of the Nigerian society is to be realized. The arrest of Dokpesi has sent wrong signals not only to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora but also to the international society.






We call the attention of African states and Western powers to the fact that the five evil things of which Chamberlain spoke are rearing their ugly heads in Nigeria: brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution.






MURIC reminds the security agency holding Chief Dokpesi of the need to respect the rule of law as well as his Allah-given and fundamental human rights. The suspect must be charged to court and not detained ad infinitum. We call on civil society, well-meaning Nigerians and the international community to speak up now before it is too late.






Finally, MURIC affirms that Dokpesi’s arrest has robbed the electioneering process of its credibility. He must therefore be set free. It is also capable of throwing spanners in the works of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and discourage intellectuals and men of goodwill hoping to cooperate with the agency. Nigerian men and women of conscience may not want to touch politics and electioneering matters with a long pole if the opposition continues to be silenced.






Dr. Is-haq Akintola,


Director,


Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)


234-803-346-4974



THREAT TO FREE AND FAIR ELECTION IN NIGERIA

5th October, 2010

PRESS RELEASE:

ARREST OF DOKPESI: THREAT TO FREE AND FAIR ELECTION

Nigerian security agents have confirmed the arrest of nine suspects for their alleged roles in the bomb blasts which occurred in Abuja on October 1, 2010, the nation’s independence day. The explosions killed eight people instantly and injured many others. Two of those critically injured have reportedly died in the hospital. Another twist in the ongoing investigation into the terror attack is the alleged arrest of Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of the Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Committee. Dokpesi was invited by security agents on Sunday 3rd October.



The alleged arrest and subsequent detention of Dokpesi must attract the attention of the Nigerian civil society in view of his current position as a key figure in the opposition camp flying the campaign flag of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd), a former Nigerian military head of state. Babangida is one of the presidential aspirants challenging the incumbent, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in the 2011 presidential election.



This arrest is capable of throwing fear into the hearts of opposition figures, leaving a clear field for the incumbent. Such a development constitutes blatant rape of democracy since a free and fair election can no longer be guaranteed. The Nigerian government is already double-speaking. Jonathan exonerates the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which issued a warning thirty minutes before the blast and also made a post-explosion claim of responsibility. Yet the same government gave the green light to the South African authorities to arrest, detain and charge MEND leader, Henry Okha to court for the blasts.



The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) charges the Nigerian government to eschew political vendetta and witch-hunting. Government must avoid strong-arm tactics in dealing with the opposition. Throwing the opposition campaign team into disarray is an old trick used by those who will not brook opposition and intolerance of opposition is the hallmark of dictatorship. The Nigerian security agencies must not be turned into an African Gestapo if the dream of true reform of the Nigerian society is to be realized. The arrest of Dokpesi has sent wrong signals not only to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora but also to the international society.



We call the attention of African states and Western powers to the fact that the five evil things of which Chamberlain spoke are rearing their ugly heads in Nigeria: brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution.



MURIC reminds the security agency holding Chief Dokpesi of the need to respect the rule of law as well as his Allah-given and fundamental human rights. The suspect must be charged to court and not detained ad infinitum. We call on civil society, well-meaning Nigerians and the international community to speak up now before it is too late.



Finally, MURIC affirms that Dokpesi’s arrest has robbed the electioneering process of its credibility. He must therefore be set free. It is also capable of throwing spanners in the works of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and discourage intellectuals and men of goodwill hoping to cooperate with the agency. Nigerian men and women of conscience may not want to touch politics and electioneering matters with a long pole if the opposition continues to be silenced.



Dr. Is-haq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

234-803-346-4974