7th August, 2019
PRESS RELEASE:
#REVOLUTION NOW: BUHARI HAS OUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has declared a vote of
confidence for President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration. This is
coming in the face of the call for a revolution against the Nigerian
government. MURIC argued that the proponents of #Revolutionnow have lost touch
with reality.
The group’s position
vis a vis #Revolutionnow was made known in a statement issued by its
Director and Founder, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Wednesday, 7th
August, 2019.
“While it is on
record that we have called for the release or arraignment of Omoyele Sowore, we
affirm that the #Revolutionnow camp has lost touch with reality. How do you judge
an administration which is yet to take off in its second term? What are the
criteria the #Revolutionnow group has used to arrive at its hardline position?
“This is an administration that was ambushed, strangulated
and sarakitised from the first day of its inauguration in May 2015. Are they
blind to history? Today was born from the wombs of yesterday. Why can’t they take
a glance at where this administration is coming from? Have they forgotten how
the 8th National Assembly (NASS) held the Buhari administration by
the jugular for four good years?
“So what has changed
since then? How much time has Buhari spent in his second term? He has not even
taken off. Wednesday 21st August has just been fixed for the
swearing-in of ministers. Why won’t they allow this government to settle down?
Who is afraid of Buhari? Whose cupboard is full of skeletons? Why are they in
so much haste?
“Does it mean that
both the leaders and supporters of #Revolutionnow were pleased with the
sarakitisation of Buhari’s first term? Where really do they stand in the war
against corruption? Where were they when the 8th Senate delayed
budget for seven whole months?
“We put it to #Revolutionnow that it has misplaced its
priorities and failed to identify the true enemies of Nigeria. #Revolutionnow
should have organized its uprising against the 8th NASS. By the way,
where were they during the general elections that brought Buhari to power? How
did they fare? Is it proper to change by force what the ballots refused to
grant? It was Allah who joined Buhari and Nigerians together in the general
elections. Let no #Revolutionnow seek to put asunder what Allah has joined
together.
“Nigerians are witnesses to
the tremendous progress made by the Buhari administration despite a hostile
NASS. All contractual debts have been paid up. Treasury leakages were plugged. Internal
revenue generation drive has increased while the tax regime has been made more
effective. All pension arrears have been paid up including money owed Biafran
war veterans.
“Not only that. Recession was
overcome within one year and foreign reserve keeps growing despite low oil
price. All Federal roads are being reconstructed across the country while fast and
modern rails are emerging. The Second Niger Bridge is a living testimony and 13
modular refineries are currently being built in the Niger Delta.
“Nigeria’s economy is being
restructured from oil-based to agriculture, solid mineral and manufacturing.
Electricity generating capacity has moved from a lowly 3,000 megawatts to 7,000
megawatts. From a high profile renegade group which occupied 17 local
governments under Jonathan, Boko Haram has been drastically humbled to a
guerilla group that can only hit and run.
“You said Buhari has not achieved anything but who paid the
arrears of former staffers of NITEL, NEPA, Nigerian Airways, Nigerian Railway,
etc? What is the basis of your revolution against PMB? Where are Buhari’s
billions? Where are his hilltop palaces? Can you compare PMB to other
ex-presidents and heads of states in terms of wealth?
“You are rising against a man who refuses to steal. It just
doesn’t add up. Ungrateful people, rebellious subjects, enemies of peace. Why
are you behaving like the nine lepers who could not appreciate Jesus’ healing? ‘Were
ten not healed? Where are the nine?’ (Luke 17:17).
“If it is the issue
of killings and kidnappings, is it a new phenomenon? Was Buhari in charge when
Odi massacre occurred? What of Zaki Biam? Who killed the 47 Biafrans whose
corpses were dumped in Ozu River in 2013? Are we so naïve that we fail to realize
that all the Oyenusis and the Evans now disguise as herdsmen and Fulanis just
to cause confusion? Anarchists are trying to deceive us. #Revolutionnow is a
fall guy, a guinea pig. Scientists will call him a ‘lab rat’.
“#Revolutionnow
group must be the greatest jokers of the century if they cannot see the above
achievements. We therefore urge Nigerians to ignore them. They simply want to
gain by the bends what they failed to get by the straight. But must it be by
hook or crook?
“We submit that #Revolutionnow is fighting a proxy war for
looters. It has allowed itself to become a willing tool in the hands of corrupt
politicians and bad loosers. It is corruption fighting back. We feel the hands
of Esau but we hear the voice of Jacob in #Revolutionnow. We therefore advise
those behind it to retrace their steps. We warn distinguished Nigerians who
have earned the respect of millions of their compatriots not to dance to the
gallery. It is not mandatory to speak in support of every rascality. Real wise
men are selective in times like this. It is unnecessary to find your finger in
every pie.
“By the way, what
alternative do the champions of #Revolutionnow have for Nigerians as they seek
violent regime change? Whether they call their #Revolutionnow violent or
nonviolent, is it time yet for another election? Have they forgotten Libya? Can’t
they see what is happening in Syria and Iraq? Real activists respect democratic
ideals but the reverse is the case with our friends. The open call for a
revolution is a flagrant abuse of democratic principles. Who did this to
#Revolutionnow?
“Sowore is a good material for future politicking but he
has to redirect his energy towards reengineering Nigerian youth for service, patriotism
and dignity, not towards removing a democratically elected government. A Fidel
Castro, Thomas Sankara or Che Guevera profile is anachronistic, retarding and
un-Nigerian. Even Nelson Mandela emerged through democratic process.
“As we conclude this
advocacy, we appeal to distinguished and elderly activists to tell Sowore the
truth. We advise #Revolutionnow to dismantle,
dissolve into a political party and wait for 2023. Even a coup will not pay the
group. Coups are no longer fashionable. The Buhari regime is not a product of
violent change. It evolved via due democratic process. Any other process
is therefore unlawful, illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional. In view of
Buhari’s sterling qualities and his numerous fait accompli in spite of
all odds, we affirm clearly, unambiguously and categorically that Mr. President
has our vote of confidence.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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