NIGERIA’S ABSTENTION AT UN VOTE ON PALESTINE: LONG IN IMPUNITY, SHORT IN PRINCIPLE

1^st January, 2015

PRESS RELEASE:

NIGERIA’S ABSTENTION AT UN VOTE ON PALESTINE: LONG IN IMPUNITY, SHORT IN PRINCIPLE

Nigeria yesterday abstained from voting during the United Nations deliberation on whether Palestine should be recognized as a full-fledged state. The abstention cost Palestine denial of the recognition just when it needed only one vote to scale through. Eight votes were secured by Palestine out of the mandatory nine votes as Nigeria refused to cast a vote.

The request to officially recognize Palestine as a state within the 1967 borders with full UN member benefits and state status throughout the international community was presented by Jordan on 30^th December, 2014.

Whereas Argentina, Chad, Chile, Jordan, Luxembourg, China, France and Russia (8 justice seeking countries) voted ‘Yes’ to a Palestinian state, only Australia and the United States voted ‘No’ while Nigeria joined Lithuania, South Korea, Rwanda and Britain in the abstention camp.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is astounded by this conservative shift in Nigeria’s foreign policy. It is on record that Nigeria has always been in the forefront of Africa’s struggle for freedom, justice and equal rights.

The latest support for Zionist Israel which is notorious for killing unarmed civilians, women and children is therefore most baffling, uncharacteristically cowardly, highly reprehensible, long in impunity but short in principle.

Nigeria has always been known for its principled stand on international issues. This great African country confronted the apartheid regime of South Africa until it collapsed. We did the same in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe and Angola.

The basis has always been the promotion of fundamental human rights on the international scene. On what basis has Nigeria supported Israel this time around?

In retrospect, we are constrained to liken Nigeria’s decision to pitch tent with Israel to President Jonathan’s consistent disgust for Islamic norms and values, his unveiled desire to marginalize Muslims in the scheme of things and his unhidden mien for the debilitation of Muslims both locally and internationally.

The removal of Arabic Ajami from the newly introduced N100 note symptomises his lack of regard for Islamic norms and values. The under-representation of Muslims at the recently concluded national conference in which Muslims were a paltry 189 against 303 Christians and the failure of President Jonathan to redress the wrong is an eloquent testimony to the president’s anti-Muslim agenda.

No single Muslim from South-West Nigeria was appointed into President Jonathan’s cabinet for three good years until the Muslims protested. Yesterday’s technical ‘vote’ for Israel on the issue of a Palestinian state filled President Jonathan’s anti-Muslim cup to the brim.

MURIC appeals to Muslims in the leadership cader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to call the President to order.

Nigeria is a multi-religious country and if we want enduring peace, whoever assumes the mantle of power here must be ready to treat both Christians and Muslims equally and fairly. A Muslim president who is openly discriminatory will do the Muslims more harm than good and vice versa.

Finally, we call on the international community to observe the trend in President Jonathan’s administration, particularly the way and manner he has sidelined Muslims and adopted far-reaching anti-Muslim policies. We charge the National Assembly to turn its attention to this insensitive and ignoble decision.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

JONATHAN’S ENDURANCE PLEA: PRESIDENT SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE

29^th December, 2014

PRESS RELEASE:

JONATHAN’S ENDURANCE PLEA:

PRESIDENT SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE

President Jonathan yesterday pleaded with Nigerians to endure the hardship expected to come with fallen price of oil.    

Ceteris paribus, this is a good piece of advice but Nigerians are looking forward to practical example. Available indices show that this is still lacking in the present leadership.

Mr. President is not leading us by example if it is true that he still wants to buy a new aircraft. The presidency has explanations to render to tax-payers if it is also true that the proposed aircraft will be the fourth since he took office in the year 2010. Why must President Jonathan buy four aircrafts in four years? Is the president walking his talk?

The presidency also owes Nigerians explanations if it is true that friends and associates donated staggering sums of money amounting to millions at the launching of Mr. President’s campaign fund for the 2015 elections which netted N21 billion. Nigerians are worried that the presidency allowed huge donations contrary to Section 91(9) of the Electoral Act which disallows donations higher than N1 million.

Equally nauseating is the sum of N215,635,713 allegedly set aside in the 2015 budget for foodstuff and catering equipment for the presidency.  Does the presidency replace equipment every year? If so, is the presidency enduring? If the answer to the last question  is ‘No’, President Jonathan has no moral right to ask Nigerians to endure. The buck stops at his table and he must lead by example.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) charges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be awake to its responsibilities. INEC must ensure that the rule of law prevails. We are disappointed that INEC did nothing even after the disclosure of the huge donations which violated the rules.

In conclusion, MURIC demands that no new aircraft should be purchased by the presidency. Redundant and frivolous expenditure in the 2015 budget should be struck out. We must demonstrate discipline in budgetary matters if we want to survive hard times.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS MUST CLOSE RANKS

24^th December, 2014

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE:

CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS MUST CLOSE RANKS

Nigerian Christians will tomorrow join their counterparts across the globe in celebrating Christmas. The festival marks the birth of Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) prays for the safety and well-being of all adherents of the Christian faith before, during and after Christmas. As usual, we reaffirm our goodwill for our Christian neighbours and assure all foreigners in the country of our commitment to their safety and welfare. Essentially, we reject the perverse ideology of those who ask Muslims to kill Westerners. Islam is not a racist religion.  

We remind all Nigerians that religion is expected to serve as a link among homo sapiens. It should therefore not divide us. Love is sine qua non as an ingredient of righteousness. Religion is therefore dry and incomplete where there is no love.

MURIC therefore invites Nigerians to love, to tolerate and to forgive one another. We need these three qualities (love, tolerance and forgiveness) in order to build a peaceful and progressive nation.

We charge politicians to avoid whipping up religious sentiment during the ongoing electioneering campaign. By the same token, we remind prospective voters to shun religious prejudice and ethnic jingoism. Picking candidates on the basis of credibility is the mark of an enlightened electorate.

We warn that any God-fearing Christian or Muslim can successfully lead Nigeria to El Dorado whereas a deceitful Christian or Muslim hypocrite can only end up dividing the country and worsening the sufferings of Nigerians. Religion is therefore not the issue.

 Finally, we appeal to Nigerians to spend the Yuletide period in praying for the return of peace to our dear country. We also charge religious leaders to set good example by closing ranks and by encouraging interfaith dialogue.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

BOKO HARAM THREAT: BEEF UP SECURITY AROUND EMIR OF KANO

18^th December, 2014

PRESS RELEASE:

BOKO HARAM THREAT: BEEF UP SECURITY AROUND EMIR OF KANO

In the latest video clip released by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, he threatened to attack the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, in retaliation for the Emir’s call on Kano residents and other Nigerians to arm and defend themselves.

On account of this open threat, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) hereby calls on the authorities to beef up security around Emir Sanusi. We invite Nigerian security agencies to take the threat seriously. The Emir’s palace should be made impregnable.

By the same token, we see the need for the security agencies to be more proactive by providing adequate security for all top religious leaders in the country. This should include, at least, the presidents and secretaries of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

This is not an empty threat. Emir Sanusi spoke in October, asking Nigerians to defend themselves against Boko Haram and his mosque was attacked on Friday, 28^th November, 2014. More than 100 lives were lost in the deadly assault which involved the detonation of multiple bombs and sporadic shooting of worshippers. That attack showed how deadly Boko Haram has become. We also recall the killing of other emirs by the same insurgents.

MURIC therefore reminds the Nigerian security community that the latest threat by Boko Haram is a challenge to security agents. For terrorism to be defeated, the first rule is to ensure that terrorists fail in their stated goals. This is why the Nigerian security outfits must give their all to ensure that they thwart all attempts made by the terrorists.

Finally, we appeal to members of the public to cooperate with security agents in the fight against terrorism. Terrorists are not ghosts. They live among fellow Nigerians. We charge patriotic citizens to give information to security agencies early enough to nip terrorists’ evil plans in the bud. Above all, every citizen must be on alert. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)