MURIC ADVISES ATIKU TO IGNORE BAD ADVISERS

27^th February, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC ADVISES ATIKU TO IGNORE BAD ADVISERS 

Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode has reportedly advised the candidate of the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to form a parallel government and order civil disobedience. This was sequel to the declaration of the results of the 2019 presidential election which was won by the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari.

But the Islamic human rights organization, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has faulted this advice. In a press release issued on the evening of Wednesday, 27^th February, 2019, the group described Fani-Kayode’s advice as a voice from the pit of hell. The statement was signed by the Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“It is an advice from the pit of hell. Don’t believe Fani-Kayode. He is an advocatus diaboli. He is eyeing a seat in your cabinet if you form a parallel government. Your status is well above what he asked you to do. As an ex-vice president of Nigeria, you know the implications of forming a parallel government. That is high treason.

“Ordering civil disobedience also has serious repercussions. Apart from causing a lot of suffering for the people, irredentist groups and opportunists will cash in on it. Are you ready to lead an insurrection? Besides, civil disobedience will fail because its effect will only be partially felt in the South East and only for a few days. But do you want to descend to the level of Nnamdi Kanu? It will endanger your interests in the North.  

“Perhaps the worst impact of ordering civil disobedience will be attacks on Northerners in the East. This is most likely to be followed by retaliatory attacks by Northerners on people of the South East.

“MURIC advises Your Excellency not to rush into anything irrational. We advise you to distance yourself from people like Femi Fani-Kayode. He is bad news. Fani-Kayode is a Muslim hater. You are a Muslim. The same Fani-Kayode has championed an anti-Fulani and anti-caliphate campaign. How could you have forgotten so soon?

“Don’t allow him to incite you against your Northern brother. No matter how bad the situation may be, President Muhammadu Buhari is your brother in Islam. You are both Fulani. Fani-Kayode has a hidden agenda. He holds Northerners in contempt. He will destroy you. Those of us who are preachers of Islam know what we face from people like him. We know the amount of hate messages we receive everyday from Muslim-haters. They are not your true friends. Don’t fall for a cheap trick.

“Fani-Kayode is a pathological liar. Didn’t he tell us that President Muhammadu Buhari was dead long ago? Now the ‘dead’ man has been re-elected. He sold the idea of Jubril of Sudan to us in another desperate bid to destroy the man he hates. He can go to any length. His latest gimmick is to set a Muslim against a Muslim and a Northerner against a Northerner. Can’t you get it?

“We advise Alhaji Atiku Abubakar not to touch Fani-Kayode and his cohorts with a long pole. Fani-Kayode’s friend, Ayodele Fayose said he would commit suicide if President Muhammadu Buhari returned alive from London during his illness. Nigerians are still waiting to know when he will kill himself.

“The worst scenario we expect from Atiku is a recourse to litigation, not ordering civil disobedience or forming a parallel government. That will be an extreme measure, condescending and pedestrian. But at this stage it is better to accept everything as the wish of Allah. Submission to the will of Allah is the way of Islam. It is better than wasting your money on judicial proceedings. Jackals will feed fat on you.

“As we rise from this session, we remind Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of an hadith Qudusiy in which Almighty Allah said, ‘Whoever is not pleased with my decision, let him find another sky different from mine. Let him find another earth apart from my earth’. Allah loves those who submit to him in humility”.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC CONGRATULATES BUHARI ON HIS RE-ELECTION

27^th February, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONGRATULATES BUHARI ON HIS RE-ELECTION 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared President Muhammadu Buhari winner of the 2019 presidential election. By this declaration, President Buhari is entitled to rule Nigeria for a four-year second term until 2023. Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored a total of 15,191,847 to beat his main contender, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 11,262,978. The margin of defeat was 3,928,869 votes.         

In its congratulatory message, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), described Buhari’s victory as well-deserved. The human rights organization rejoiced with President Muhammadu Buhari and prayed for Allah’s protection and guidance for him. The message was contained in a press statement signed by the Founder and Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, 27^th February, 2019.

“We felicitate with President Muhammadu Buhari on his well-deserved victory in the 2019 presidential election. There is no doubt that Buhari is the choice of the Nigerian people. He won this enviable position by dint of his love for the poor masses, his Spartan way of life, his transparency and the indisputable aura of integrity which surrounds him. Buhari is an uncommon leader in the whole of Africa. He will go down in history as the father of modern Nigeria. We are very proud of him.

“Buhari’s re-election is a reward for good governance. We charge Nigerians to cooperate with the president by changing their mindset. This is the time to set a new agenda for our country. Let us emulate Buhari in transparency, honesty, simplicity and hard-work. Both young and old Nigerians must eschew the rush for materialism. Let us regain our lost values and norms. Fraud, yahoo-yahoo and all forms of 419 were never part of our culture in Nigeria. We must not miss the lessons in Buhari’s victory. In particular, we must realise that a good name runs faster than silver and gold.

“The APC leadership must sit up from now. This is the time to prepare a roadmap to the consolidation of the gains of Buhari’s first term and prepare strategies for escaping landmines and ambushes particularly in the National Assembly (NASS). The eighth NASS has performed woefully. It is an anti-people, pro-corruption, pro-capitalist bourgeoisie. It is the worst in the history of our nation. We must therefore make sure that it does not happen again.

“MURIC advises Buhari’s supporters to jubilate moderately. We must not rejoice with spite. This victory must not go into our heads. Dangerous convoy drives must be avoided. Speedy motorcycle displays of joy which often lead to accidents are unnecessary. We all must be in sober reflection.  

“We call on the opposition to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari. We all must adopt a new dogma in the few months to come: that the winner did not win because he is the best; neither did the loser lose because he is the worst. Let us see no winner, no vanquished. The only entity we should see is Nigeria. This is how to eliminate bitterness. Nigeria is the winner and the beautiful Nigerian people are the heroes of our new democratic experience. We should therefore match forward together to build a strong and united nation.

“We call on religious leaders to direct showers of supplications to the Supreme Creator to protect President Buhari, to prosper Nigeria, overwhelm enemies of this country, overcome powers of darkness and make Nigeria flourish once again under this administration and thereafter.  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

ELECTION RESULTS: MURIC APPEALS FOR CALM

26^th February, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

ELECTION RESULTS: MURIC APPEALS FOR CALM 

There have been altercations between the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as results of the 2019 elections are being declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although more than half of the results are yet to be announced, the PDP has already rejected the results so far declared. This is likely to create a tense atmosphere in the political arena.  

However, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed for calm. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, 26^th February, 2019, the human rights group called on all stakeholders to observe parliamentary decorum and exercise restraint during and after the declaration of results. The statement was signed by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director of the organization.

“A winner must emerge in any contested election. Some will win and some will lose. It has been so from the beginning of time. But true democrats, men of courage and nobility are known by their liberal disposition. It is only political fanatics who stand on the extreme edge and refuse to bend. In any case, INEC’s declaration of a winner is not the end of hope. Relief can still be sought in the courts of law up to the highest level. This is what we should do in order to prove that our democracy has not been stagnant afterall.

“MURIC invites winners to manifest humility and magnanimity in victory. For the sake of our dear country, Nigeria, we charge whoever loses in this election to display uncommon equanimity and unparalleled sportsmanship. This is necessary in order to inject a large dose of patriotism in young Nigerians. They are the politicians of the future. We must not leave a legacy of bitterness, intolerance and desperation in politics. The whole world is watching you. 

“Islamic political thought identifies Almighty Allah alone as the sole giver of power. He gives whom He wishes and He takes power from whom He so desires (Qur’an 3:26). It is interesting that the two main contenders in this 2019 general elections are Muslims and they know the implications of this popular verse. Here is a chance to demonstrate the depth of our leaders’ faith. Is it vertically strong or horizontally inclined?

“We must consider the safety of lives and properties. Is our victory worth the blood of hundreds of innocent Nigerians? Is it worth the pandemonium that is bound to follow a crisis? Should Nigeria go the way of Rwanda or Liberia because we want to lead? We must ruminate over the humanitarian crisis which is likely to follow a violent eruption.

“We call on all stakeholders to eschew hate speech, incitement and all forms of provocation. We call on the youth to distance themselves from all acts of thuggery and hooliganism. The children of politicians are in London, Paris and New York. Why must we be used to kill and maim ourselves over simple political differences? Another four years will be here by 2023.

Finally, we appeal to all men of goodwill particularly opinion leaders, traditional rulers, etc, to rise to the occasion. We request for special prayers for peace and tranquility in churches and mosques throughout the federation. In particular, we urge church clerics to pray for Nigeria on Sunday 3^rd March, 2019. We request Imams and their congregation to observe sujud ash-shukr between Maghrib and Ishai prayers from Tuesday 26^th February to Thursday 28^th February 2019 and to pray for political stability during those three days.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

DON’T INTERFERE IN ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS: MURIC CAUTIONS FOREIGN EMBASSIES

25^th February, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

DON’T INTERFERE IN ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS:

MURIC CAUTIONS FOREIGN EMBASSIES  

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned foreign embassies in the country not to interfere in the ongoing announcement of results of Nigeria’s general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission began announcing results today Monday, 25^th Februay, 2019 around 12 noon.       

MURIC, an Islamic human rights organization handed down the warning in a press statement issued on Monday afternoon, 25^th Februay, 2019. The statement was signed by the Founder and Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“We have been reliably informed that a former Nigerian high commissioner to Canada has been contracted by the main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to spread false propaganda among foreign envoys particularly the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union with a view to discrediting the electoral process. The plan is to get these foreign embassies to propose a stoppage of the announcement of results which is already ongoing under the excuse of widespread violence.

“This will be a disservice to the Nigerian people, a subversion of democratic process and a diplomatic coup against Rousseau’s General Will.

“The elections were generally free, fair and peaceful. There were only pockets of violence in two out of 36 states (Rivers and Lagos). Even that of Lagos was infinitesimally insignificant as it was curtailed within minutes.

“We call on the ambassadors of US, UK and EU not to allow themselves to be used as tools by looters and deceptive politicians. It is interesting that those attempting to deceive the foreign diplomats are the same people who are defending corrupt judges, the same people who oppose the use of card readers and the same people who oppose action against ballot box snatchers. Why? It is simply because they are adept at such games. Western diplomats should avoid becoming willing tools in the hands of desperate politicians.

“Finally, we assert that Nigerians wish to be left alone to handle their elections. We therefore appeal to foreign diplomats to respect our values and norms as a people by steering clear of the announcement of results. We have succeeded in holding a peaceful, free and fair election. It will amount to a brutal rape on democracy for Western diplomats to intervene during the announcement of results”.  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

ARREST KILLERS OF 131 FULANIS IN KAJURU

25^th February, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

ARREST KILLERS OF 131 FULANIS IN KAJURU

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) last week released 131 names of Fulani victims of the Kajuru massacre which took place on 10^th February, 2019. Although the state governor, Nasir ElRufai, earlier announced the killing of only 66, he later raised the figure to 131. The list supplied by MACBAN last week has confirmed this figure.        

Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Kaduna police command to arrest killers of 131 Fulanis in Kajuru Local Government of Kaduna State. In a statement issued on Monday, 25^th February, 2019 and signed by its Founder and Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights organization wondered why no single arrest has been made 15 days after the heinous crime was committed.

“We want to know what is causing the delay. A whole 131 Nigerians were callously murdered in their sleep and nothing has happened. We just cannot believe this is happening in 21^st century Nigeria. We cannot believe this is happening in a democracy. Where is the rule of law? Where is justice and fair play?

“Is it because the victims are Fulanis? Is it because the victims are Muslims? If a single Christian is killed in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) will threaten hell and brimstone. The press will go agog. The Pope himself will demand justice. White House will ask for explanations. But everybody is quiet now that a staggering number of Fulani Muslims were massacred. This is selective justice. We demand action now.

“MURIC is watching the unfolding scenario with keen interest. We are shocked that the police is foot-dragging in this matter. Kaduna police command has refused to confirm the death toll thereby creating doubt and constituting itself into a clog in the wheel of justice. A figure confirmed by the governor who is the bona fide chief security officer of the state as well as the Nigerian Army is being doubted by the police command. What is the motive for this?

“We are very disappointed by the way the Kaduna police command is handling the Kajuru massacre. In particular, we like to know the reaction of Kaduna police to the list of victims released by MACBAN. There are 131 names on that list. Is the police saying those people never existed? Were they not Nigerians who should have been protected but were left to be killed mercilessly by blood-thirsty Adara militiamen?  

“A breakdown of the list published by MACBAN shows that 31 Fulanis were killed in Maro, 68 in Unguwan Ayama, 29 in Unguwan Dorawa and one each in Unguwan Adamu, Unguwan Kuntu and Unguwan Daurowa. This brings the total number of victims to 131.  

“The security of the lives of Nigerian Muslims and their freedom is the major concern of the Muslim Rights Concern. Differences in their ethnicity or social status is immaterial to us. Every Nigerian Muslim, whether in far-away Kaora Namoda in the North, Ugwashi-Uku in the South East, Calabar in the South South or Ila-Orangun in the South West must enjoy Allah-given fundamental human rights to life, freedom of religion and freedom of movement.

“We expect the Kaduna police command to have sprung to action a long time ago given the bestiality manifested in the Kajuru massacre. What kind of human beings are these Kajuru killers? Infants and very elderly Fulani Muslims were slaughtered in their sleep.

“Kabiru Magaji and Ma’aja Salisu were just one-year old infants! The number of two-year olds killed is eleven (11). Their names as revealed by Miyetti Allah are: Jamila Nannu, Fatima Abdullahi, Usman Maa, Faoziya Abubaka, Dare Ja’e, Ramatu Haruna, Zainab Haruna, Biba Kadiri, Zainab Salisu, Amina Muhammad and Hadiza Muhammad. What crimes have these crawling infants committed? This is a serious crime against humanity.

“Ten of those killed were just three years old: Zainab Usman, Shamsiya Nannu, Sabiu Abdullahi, Gambo Maa, Hassana Abubaka, Musa Abubaka, Yahaya Abubaka, Hakima Kadiri, Sahina Kadiri and Baba Kadiri. Four of the victims were four years old: Sumba Kadiri, Salmanu Salisu, Buhari Muhammad and Mokawu Lawal. The merciless killers did not spare Fulani elders. Two of the victims were 100 years old : Bahago Ori and Ibrahim Usman while 95 years old Ma’adatu Lawal and 90 years old Wuringo Harira Bahago were not speared.

“MURIC calls the attention of the international community to the continuous crime against humanity in Nigeria with Muslims as main victims. Apart from this Kajuru massacre, more than 1,000 Fulanis were systematically eliminated in a span of seven months between June 2017 and January 2018. 732 Fulani Muslims were massacred in the carnage which occurred in June 2017 in Mambilla, Taraba State. 82 Fulani Muslim women and children were killed by Batchama militiamen in Numan Local Government of Adamawa State in November 2017.

“In January 2018 30 Fulanis were again killed in an attack by Batchama militia in Numan, Adamawa. On July 6, 2018, 14 Fulani Muslims were killed by gunmen suspected to be Nyandan militia in Fulani villages in Lau Local Government, Taraba State. Yet another 24 Fulanis were mowed down in the same Lau few weeks after that. 96 Fulanis were also massacred in Kajuru about the same time. This has gone too far. It is ethnic cum religious cleansing.

“We strongly condemn the silence of governors in the core North on the latest pogrom against Fulani Muslims. They failed to express solidarity with Governor ElRufai. This is an unforgiveable diplomatic failure. The world has become a global village and networking is the in-thing today. Nobody will respect Muslims or their leaders if they cannot defend themselves and stand together on issues like this. Governors in Muslim-majority states in the North should realise that they have a duty to protect the teeming population of Muslims in the region. They must come together in a spirit of Muslim brotherhood in times like this.  

“MURIC appeals to the Inspector General of Police to intervene. The culprits of this latest killing of 131 Fulani Muslims are roaming the streets. People who slay innocent infants, pregnant women and elderly persons are dangerous criminals who should not be allowed to walk freely in the society. We call on the Kaduna police command to stop its irrational questioning of the casualty figures and do the needful, particularly in the face of the list published by Miyatti Allah”.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC SEEKS CLARIFICATION ON SALE OF NNPC

21^st February, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC SEEKS CLARIFICATION ON SALE OF NNPC

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticized one of the presidential candidates in the 2019 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who promised during the campaigns to sell the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He repeated this promise yesterday, Wednesday, 20^th February, 2019, while speaking in one of the Northern states. According to MURIC, the proposed sale of NNPC which is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy has serious economic implications for the citizens.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, 21^st February, 2019, MURIC expressed deep concern about the proposed sale. The statement was signed by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Founder and Director of the Islamic human rights organisation.

“We must start taking Alhaji Atiku Abubakar very seriously, particularly on this issue of planning to sell NNPC. In view of the fact that petroleum is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy and NNPC is key to its performance, the Nigerian people need to know what will happen if the former vice president’s promise becomes a reality.

“We are therefore asking His Excellency to explain to Nigerians what will become of civil servants who rely on their monthly salaries alone if NNPC is sold. If it is true that at least 70% of Federal Government’s allocation comes from NNPC sales and both federal and state governments rely on the allocation to pay their employees, how will federal and state workers continue to get their salaries regularly? Is this not an invitation to massive retrenchment, unbridled poverty and increased crime rate? What measures have Your Excellency put in place to ensure that our fears are not actualized?

“By extension, MURIC will like to know what Alhaji Atiku Abubakar means by his widely quoted statement, ‘I will enrich my friends’. We will like to know who the former vice president referred to as his ‘friends’ as well as the criterion or criteria for becoming Alhaji Atiku’s friend. Also, what form will such enrichment take? From where will the resources for enriching his friends come, from his personal resources or from our common patrimony?

“The Nigerian people will love to hear an explanation before they go to the polls in the next 48 hours. The Muslim Rights Concern is deeply concerned about the fate of Nigerian Muslims who form a large majority of Nigeria’s population and who are most likely to be the main victims of a general retrenchment and the attendant widespread poverty among the masses. MURIC cannot afford to close its eyes to a major economic policy which is capable of affecting the lives of a large majority of Nigerians.”     

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

WE BACK BUHARI ON BALLOT SNATCHERS

20^th February, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

WE BACK BUHARI ON BALLOT SNATCHERS

A tornado of criticisms has trailed President Buhari’s tough stand on ballot snatchers. The president was widely quoted on Monday 18^th February, 2019, that ballot snatchers risk losing their lives.

But the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has pitched camp with President Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement released on Wednesday 20^th February, 2019, MURIC, an Islamic human rights society insisted that ballot box snatchers themselves are killers who deserve no mercy. The group added that security agencies should be given the power to shoot anybody who attempts to snatch a ballot box. The statement was signed by the founder and director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“A lot of people still need civic education. How can educated people defend ballot box snatchers? Do they know who they are defending? They are defending killers, thugs and hooligans. Does any ballot box snatcher come with snacks, loaves of bread and bottles of water for voters? No. They come with guns, cutlasses, daggers, charms, etc. They come with death.  

“Are we also not aware that many innocent voters have been killed and wounded in the process of ballot snatching? Are our elites not ashamed of defending such riff-raffs? Must we allow political differences to becloud our sense of decency? Do we know the sponsors of those thugs? These are crooked politicians who have nothing to deliver to the people except to steal public funds. No clean politician will ask hoodlums to snatch ballot boxes for him.

“We all read the confession of some of the armed robbers who killed several people in Offa recently. They said their godfather used to give them assignments during elections. He would ask them to invade polling booths where his opponents are most popular. What does that mean to the election process? It reduces the votes of the opposition. The wrong candidate will be declared winner. Consequently, he does what he likes because he never really felt any sense of responsibility to the people. Can we say such an election is free and fair?

“Nigerians have to make up their minds whether they want free and fair election or they want chaos, cheating, thuggery and hooliganism. We are shocked to our marrows that confusionists are allowed to sway the minds of rational people. How can any rational mind support electoral violence, particularly ballot snatching?

According to Akintola, ballot box snatchers are worse than armed robbers. “Some critics hardly think before speaking. What is the difference between ballot box snatchers and armed robbers? The latter rob people of their hard-earned money. The former robs the people of good leadership. The victim of an armed robbery may be just one person but millions or thousands of Nigerians are the unwilling victims of a ballot box snatcher. Again, the victim of an armed robber may recover the financial loss within a few days or weeks but millions of Nigerians face untold suffering at least for the next four years when ballot boxes are snatched and thieves are declared winners of elections.

The group argued that President Buhari is not the first to call for action against hoodlums carrying illegal arms. It cited the examples of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Nyesome Wike, the governor of Rivers State.

"We are surprised that people forget so easily. On November 25^th, 1999, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo said, ‘The police have instructions that any criminal should be shot on sight. Anyone who calls himself OPC should be arrested and if he doesn't agree he will be shot on sight. We cannot allow this country to be overtaken by hoodlums and criminals. When people decide to behave like animals then they must be treated like animals.’

“It is also on record that Wike once said, ‘If you rig election or snatch ballot box in Rivers State you will die’. Ayodele Fayose was also quoted as threatening, ‘Anyone who brings his rigging madness to Ekiti State will not go home alive. He will die on the spot. In fact, Ado Ekiti will be on fire’. What moral right do such people have to criticize Buhari today for asking security agents to deal will ballot box snatchers? The truth is that Nigerians politicise everything.

“What Mr. President said is totally legitimate, lawful and constitutional. He has the full backing of Section 33(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says inter alia, ‘A person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this section, if he dies as a result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably necessary - for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.

“We need to ponder on the exact words of President Buhari. He said, ‘I want to warn anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch ballot boxes or disturb the voting system, he will do it at the expense of his own life’. How can anybody have a problem with that? Are you a ballot box snatcher? Are you thinking of becoming one? Are you a sponsor of political thugs? Are you an advocate of electoral violence? What, therefore, is your problem?

“From the above facts, we are constrained to conclude that those who criticize President Buhari for giving orders to security agencies to shoot ballot box snatchers acted either in error, out of ignorance or as educated illiterates. A new Sheriff is in town. The old order changeth.

“To be or not to be, that is the question: whether to be known as a nation of disorderly, unruly and unorganized people, in which case we will remain the laughing stock of the world, or to be known as a well-organized, law-abiding and decorum-compliant people, in which case we will become the model and pride of Black Africa.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

WE REJECT FOREIGN LOBBYISTS AND PRODIGAL SONS

19^th February, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

WE REJECT FOREIGN LOBBYISTS AND PRODIGAL SONS

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called attention to the strange utterances of foreign diplomats particularly the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU). Some of those statements, according to the Islamic human rights group, border on attempts to railroad Nigeria into an unpalatable situation and to interfere in the electoral process.  

In a statement reeled out early on Tuesday 19^th February, 2019, MURIC threw its weight behind the allegations made by Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari against certain foreign diplomats. MURIC’s press statement was signed by its founder and director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 “We are not comfortable with the pronouncements of foreign powers regarding the 2019 general elections in Nigeria. There are attempts to intimidate the Nigerian government. These statements stand in contradistinction with the status of diplomats. It is interference, pure and simple.

“How can Western diplomats be leaning towards an opposition party which committed the worst rape on our economy? How can they close their eyes to the brutal pillaging of our common wealth? Who feels it knows it. We are the citizens of this country and we know what we have suffered under the present opposition when they were in power.

“These people were in power for good 16 years. Those were years of nightmare, years of ruination, years of stealing with impunity. They ruined the economy. They sold out all major assets and corruptly enriched themselves. They arrogated our common patrimony to themselves. It was on this account that the Nigerian people rejected them in 2015 by voting for President Muhammadu Buhari, a man known for his spartan life, industry and integrity.

“President Buhari’s team put together the rotten pieces they left behind. He carefully and meticulously nursed the economy back to life and just when things started picking up, the prodigal sons want to take over again. They apologized publicly a few months ago but they want to come back to power immediately. That will not happen. Nigerians are not fools. They should watch from the ringsides and learn how to build a nation. We will reject them at the polls. We say no to overambitious and unpatriotic political shenanigans.

“We call on the foreign diplomats to ask the leading opposition the reason for tendering public apology. Was it not for mismanaging the economy, for stealing public money and for throwing a whole nation into misery? Have they learnt their lesson? Why are they in a hurry to take over after just four years? It is clear from their public pronouncements that they have learnt nothing. They sold vital assets in their 16 years of misrule but now they are saying they want to sell the heart and soul of Nigeria. Now, we must ask the US, UK and EU diplomats, can you ever allow such nonsense in your own countries?  

“Nigerians see foreign diplomats hobnobbing with political figures of doubtful credibility as people playing mere lip-service to transparency, probity, accountability and, in particular, the anti-corruption war in Nigeria. The leading opposition candidate has also disappointed Nigerians by leaning towards lobbyists. It is only politicians who have credibility problems who engage the services of lobbyists. Even if lobbying may not be a bad idea, eyebrows must be raised when lobbyists who possess dangerous antecedence in their curriculum vitae are engaged.

  

“We were shocked to hear that some of the strong members of the opposition have connections to Paul Manafort, a former aide to US President, Donald Trump, who has been indicted with electoral fraud. Equally disturbing is the involvement of Riva Levinson, a woman trained by Paul Manafort and Roger Stone, now hired by Senator Bukola Saraki. These two figures have been fingered in the probe into the interference in the US election by a foreign power.

“Our concern arises from the fact that the leading opposition party (People’s Democratic Party, PDP) with which these professional lobbyists are connected is responsible for the economic rape of Nigeria for good 16 years during which humongous amounts of money went into private pockets. This is clear from statements made by foreign powers in the past two weeks.

“We have juxtaposed intimidating statements made by foreign powers with the coded messages of the leading opposition. The pledge made by the main opposition candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to sell the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and to enrich his friends was not made to Nigerians. We are certain that it was a coded message to foreign powers and we take serious objection to those pledges as a people. It insults our collective intelligence. It poses a potent threat to our economic independence and erodes our sovereignty as a people.        

“We want foreign diplomats to know that Nigerians are greatly impressed by the achievements of the Buhari administration. Its prudent management of lean resources has led to great achievements within a very short period. President Muhammadu Buhari has become the father of modern Nigeria now that things have started working again.  

“We call the attention of Nigerians to the unpatriotic attempt by the opposition to sell Nigeria to foreign powers who have no interest of the citizenry at heart. It is an attempt to subvert our nascent democracy and it can only set back the hands of the clock. We therefore call on Nigerians to roundly reject candidates who rely on dubious foreign characters. We must show them that Nigeria is not for sale.

“Greatest Nigerian People! MURIC calls you out to prove your real patriotism and genuine citizenship of our great nation, Nigeria. This is not about party politics. Our nationalistic instincts must now take the driver’s seat. It is now about Nigeria. We may not have the sophisticated technologies of the US, UK and the EU but this country belongs to us and we are proud of it. We have seen the momentous progress made by this administration and we want it to continue. We must shock foreign lobbyists presently collaborating with the corrupt opposition to return our country to the stone age. We must stop those whose sole desire is to subvert our democracy.

“As our parting shot, we remind the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Nigerians are aware of the ongoing intrigues and manouvres. The people of Nigeria will hold him responsible if he plays into the hands of any local or foreign manipulator.       

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)