NASS/EZEKWESILI DEBATE

29^th August, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

FIX DATE FOR NASS/EZEKWESILI DEBATE NOW

Speaking at an event hosted by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre on Monday 19^th August, 2013, former Minister of Solid Minerals and later Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, alleged that the National Assembly (NASS) gulped N1 trillion between 2005 and now. She followed up this allegation on Wednesday 21^st August, 2013 by challenging the federal lawmakers to a public debate on the issue.      

 

We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) believe that this matter should not be trivialized through mudslinging and the use of abusive language. Coming from a woman who has been twice a federal minister and a former executive of the prestigious World Bank, the issue should not be treated with a wave of the hand. Any matter that bothers on probity and accountability should be taken seriously in a decent society. Transparency is one of the major hallmarks of democracy.

 

In view of the furore generated by the allegation as well as the attendant public interest, Nigerian federal lawmakers owe Nigerian taxpayers the inalienable obligation to organize, within the shortest possible time, an open debate on the subject-matter as requested by the former minister. Any undue delay will be interpreted as an attempt to sweep the matter under the carpet.

 

MURIC reminds members of the NASS that the general public is waiting for the debate. Our organization has also partnered with other members of the civil society to work out modalities for compelling the actualization of the debate. In particular, we are interested in knowing the rationale behind the idea of the federal lawmakers fixing their own salaries according to their own whims and caprices moreso since there is an agency charged with the responsibility of fixing all salaries. NASS must be able to convince the toiling Nigerian jamaaheer (masses) that they are not being taken for a ride.

 

Finally, we call on the leaders of the NASS to announce a date for the much awaited debate in the next few days failing which the Nigerian people will accept Ezekwesili's claim as the truth, the only truth, and nothing but the truth.

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
0818-211-9714

 

 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),

234-803-346-4974

234-818-211-9714

E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk

            muslimrights@gmail.com

Website: www.muric.net

Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights

Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com

Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimrights

               

MURIC's bank account :

Banker's Name: Guaranty Trust Bank

Account Name:        Muslim Rights Concern
Account Number:    0112827277

Be just Justice is the soul of peace

No one can deny one and have the other

Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace