16th
June, 2023
PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC
CELEBRATES YAU DARAZO, RIBADU, OTHERS
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has
congratulated the eight newly appointed special advisers. The eight names were
announced yesterday, Thursday 15th June, 2023. The group also
commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for picking suitable technocrats for each
portfolio.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday,
16th June, 2023 by the Executive Director of the organisation,
Professor Ishaq Akintola.
He said :
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday
appointed eight special advisers: Mallam Yau
Shehu Darazo (Political and Intergovernmental Affairs); Olu Verheijen (Energy),
Former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu (Security) Zachaeus Adedeji (Revenue), John
Uwajumogu (Industry, Trade and Investment), Dr Salma Anas (Health), Mr. Dele
Alake (Special Duties, Communications and Strategy) and Mr. Wale Edun (Special
Adviser, Monetary Policies).
“We felicitate with the appointees and wish them
successful tenures. We urge each appointee to exhibit dedication to duty and
loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They must also ensure that opinions
passed to Mr. President are people-friendly.
“This new appointment must
be a soothing balm for those who had expressed fears about a Muslim-Muslim
ticket. It was thought that this administration will favour Muslims only but it
has not been so and will never be so. President Tinubu did not run a Muslim-only
government as a two-term governor of Lagos State. He has not changed. His administration
will be all-inclusive.
“It is noteworthy that five Christians were appointed
special advisers yesterday (Uwajumogu, Adedeji, Edun, Alake and Verheijen) while three Muslims also emerged in the new administration (Darazo, Ribadu
and Salma). Four among the eight special advisers may also have been from the
Yoruba ethnic group. This information is important because of the well-known avowed
merchants of misinformation in our midst who are always out to attack any Muslim
president.
“While Muslims may be
tempted to complain against this ratio 5:3 composition and other ethnicities
may want to kick against the ratio 4:4 in favour of Yoruba vis a vis other
tribes, we advocate patience because this is still an ongoing process. We
should not count our eggs while they are still being hatched.
“In particular, we advise Yoruba Muslims who have
always been marginalised in appointment matters by previous federal
administrations not to jump the gun. All four appointments churned up yesterday
as special advisers for Yorubas appear to be Christians (Zachaeus Adedeji, Henry Dele Alake,
Wale Edun and Ms. Olubukola Arowolo Verheijen)
but it is too early to raise issues at this time.
“Meanwhile Muslims in the region are anxiously
waiting to see how many Muslims will be among Tinubu’s six ministers from the
South West? All six Yoruba ministers appointed by Obasanjo were Christians. Ditto
in the days of Jonathan until the Muslims went to Aso Rock to protest two years
after. But even then he only gave them two ministers out of six. Will it be
business as usual under Tinubu? To be fair to Yoruba Muslims or not to be fair?
That is the question.
“Muslims in
Taraba State who constitute more than 60% of the population but who have always
been shortchanged in ministerial appointments are also waiting anxiously for
the name of the next minister from the state.
“But one thing
we cannot take from Tinubu is his uncommon ability to identify skills. Our new
president is a skill hunter primus inter pereil. That is why none of the
new appointments announced yesterday can be rubbished because they all have
extensive experience and track records in their individual industries.
Inclusivity is the only factor that critics can bring up but Tinubu may be able
to joggle with that in coming appointments.”
#MuricCelebratesDarazo
#TinubuSkillHunter
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
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