1st June, 2020
PRESS RELEASE:
AMOTEKUN: MUSLIMS REJECT
ODUDUWA REPUBLIC - MURIC
An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC), has insisted that there is a connection between the amotekun
initiative and recent agitation for the establishment of Oduduwa Republic. The
group therefore declared that Muslims in the region will never be part of the
proposed Oduduwa Republic. It called on the governors in the region to be wary
of the activities of irredentist elements who are exploiting the euphoria of
the moment to achieve their selfish and parochial objectives. The group also
warned that breaking away from the rest of Nigeria cannot be in the best
interest of the Yoruba.
This was revealed in a press statement issued by the Director of
the human rights association, Professor Ishaq Akintola. On Monday, 1st
June, 2020.
The statement reads:
“While we are pleased to observe that it seems the authorities have
taken note of our agitation to balance the appointment into amotekun by
recruiting into all caders from all religious groups, our suggestion of a
change of name from ‘amotekun’ to ‘Oduduwa Guards’ is yet to come to
reality.
“That notwithstanding, the most pressing issue now is the call for the
carving out of a Yoruba Republic out of present-day Nigeria (https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/06/13/yoruba-group-calls-oduduwa-republic/).
Moves being made include the circulation of a fraudulent survey in Yorubaland
asking people to reply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the establishment of a Yoruba Republic.
Anybody can guess what the result of such a survey coming from an unverified
source can be.
“Another document which is also being circulated lists the capital
of the proposed republic as Ibadan. However, those behind the idea exposed
themselves as dreamers when, apart from the six Yoruba states of Lagos, Ogun,
Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo, they claimed
that the geographical area of Oduduwa Republic includes Edo, Kogi, Kwara and
Delta. However, Ijaw youths have predictably denounced the Utopia (https://guardian.ng/news/leave-ijaw-out-of-oduduwa-republic-agitation-iyc-warns-promoters/).
“It is becoming glaring day
by day that the amotekun initiative is leading to the formation of a Yoruba
nation. The same group that agitated for the establishment of Amotekun security
outfit is the same that is now clamouring for a sovereign Yoruba nation. It is
no longer a smokescreen, or a ‘bojuboju’ game. The masquerade has uncovered its
face.
“Among the dangerous steps taken by the Yoruba separatist group is
the quit notice they gave to Hausa-Fulani residents in the region (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/notice-quit-hausa-fulani-yoruba-leaders-stakeholders-ask-ndelta-militants-reciprocate-arewa-youths-gesture-2/;
https://therepublicannews.net/2019/05/24/yoruba-council-of-youths-worldwide-others-give-fulani-herdsmen-in-south-west-7-days-quit-notice/comment-page-1/).
“Another cause for concern is the appointment of military retirees
as heads of the amotekun security outfits in Yoruba states instead of using
retired senior police officers. This portrays a militant body language. It is
noteworthy that Chief Alao Akala, a former governor of Oyo State has condemned
the appointment of retired military men as heads of amotekun in five of the six
states and predicted that the initiative would fail.
“The fact that the appointment of retired senior military men also
coincided with the beginning of agitations for an Oduduwa Republic speaks
volumes. Besides, the agitation has already been taken to the United Nations (https://theeagleonline.com.ng/un-urged-to-organise-referendum-in-nigeria-as-group-calls-for-oduduwa-republic/).
It is however heartwarming that some conscious Yoruba groups have staged
protests against the amotekun security outfit. (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/03/18/group-stages-anti-amotekun-protest-in-ekiti/)
“Equally disturbing is the fact that the proponents of amotekun and
Oduduwa Republic are most eager to employ both fair and foul means to achieve
their target. This Machiavellian disposition reveals the groups desperation to
unleash anarchy. Their threat to assassinate the director of MURIC exposes them
as a group that will not stomach opposition.
“Other foul methods adopted
by the group include trailing and surveillance of the residences of those who
oppose amotekun, use of fake and nonexistent Islamic organisations to demarket
our organization, cyber war, ‘killing’ MURIC’s press statements and sponsorship
of columnists to disparage the organisation and its director.
“But we remain undaunted.
Our resolve to uphold justice, fairplay and peaceful coexistence within a
united and strong Nigeria is as solid as the Rock of Gibralta. The tough must
get going when the going gets rough. For us it is ‘No surrender, no retreat’. A
group that goes all out to do all the above cannot be trusted to lead the
Yoruba people to El-Dorado.
“MURIC hereby declares that the
silence of Muslims in the Yoruba states must not be mistaken for approval of
secessionist moves. Yoruba Muslims have no confidence in the irredentists
particularly because the latter have never been given fair treatment whether in
political appointments, employment in the job market or in matters of
Allah-given fundamental human rights. It is public knowledge that it is in
Yoruba schools that Yoruba Muslim children are intimidated, harassed and
humiliated over their civil rights particularly the hijab question.
“So what is the guarantee that Muslims will not face worse
discriminatory treatrment, oppression and persecution in an Oduduwa Republic?
It is on record that a prominent Yoruba politician, Femi Fani-Kayode threatened
publicly that they know where to keep people like the director of MURIC ‘when
Oduduwa … is ready’. Oduduwa Republic is therefore going to be a slaughter slab
and a deadly trap for Yoruba Muslims.
“For the umpteenth time, we wish to clarify our position regarding
the Yoruba security outfit, amotekun. MURIC is not opposed to a security
initiative which will complement police efforts in curbing criminality in the
South West. What we oppose is a system targeting Muslims and people of other
tribes who reside in the region or marginalising Muslims in recruitments into
its units.
“We also frown at all criminal
propensities, including the activities of herdsmen who destroy farmlands though
we are aware that this is not limited to Yorubaland alone. We strongly condemn
non-indigenes in Yorubaland and other places who make crime their preoccupation
and cause disaffection between the Yoruba and law-abiding people of their tribes.
In this regard, we call for stiff penalties for the suspected killers of Mrs.
Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the Afenifere leader who
are currently facing trial once they are found guilty.
“We appeal to those behind the formation of an Oduduwa Republic to
let Nigeria be. We are stronger in a union. There is also no guaranty that the
proposed republic will last if it ever becomes a fait accompli. Yoruba
Muslims will be the leading voice of opposition to the unholy union in post-secession.
Next, the various tribal groups, principalities and communities will suddenly
wake up from their slumber and revive the old bitter rivalries. Will the Egba
submit to the Ijebu? Will the Modakekes kowtow to the Ife? What of the Ijesha?
Will they stand akimbo while Iwo and Ede go away with all the milk and honey
from the phantom republic? It will be a den of jealous, rancourous and
disunited neighbours.
“We call on Yoruba governors to be wary of the activities of
irredentist elements who are exploiting the euphoria of the moment to achieve
their selfish and parochial objectives. We have no reason to assume that the
governors are part of the grand scheme. Our assumption is that all the
governors are interested in is to secure the people of the region and their
properties. MURIC is fully in support of this kind of security arrangement.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
