NASS SHOULD LEARN FROM VENEZUELA AND OTHER COUNTRIES

10^th July 2017

PRESS RELEASE:

NASS SHOULD LEARN FROM VENEZUELA AND OTHER COUNTRIES

The National Assembly (NASS) has been at loggerheads with the executive since the commencement of the Buhari-led administration on May 29, 2017. This has retarded normal running of government, delayed the approval of budgets on two occasions and slowed down other government-related activities.

Worse still, the executive-parliamentary faceoff appears rooted in their diametrically opposing approaches to the issue of corruption and how to tackle it. While the executive demonstrates unflinching determination to eliminate graft and punish looters, the legislature whose membership contains some law-makers who are facing corruption charges is not so keen. It is even on the verge of promulgating a law granting amnesty to looters of the nation’s treasury, a move widely believed to benefit some of its members.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is deeply disturbed by this cat and mouse game between the executive and the legislature. From all indications, it appears that the eighth NASS was set up ab initio to frustrate the efforts of the Buhari regime in its fight against corruption.

Nigeria’s eighth legislature is embroiled in a litany of sins ranging from its alleged outrageous emoluments, tampering with budgets, rejection of government’s nominees, arm-twisting the executive over sundry issues thereby virtually railroading the government to bend over backwards to meet lawmakers’ frivolous demands.

 

Against the background of the threat issued by the NASS to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo who has been asked to sack Ibrahim Magu, head of the economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or face the consequences, we warn against any rash action.

Our message to the Nigerian lawmakers is loud and clear: touch the Acting President and face the wrath of the Nigerian people. We believe that the NASS is taking too much for granted. This law-making body should not invite anarchy. Nigerians are not really the fools they think they are.

Our legislators should learn from countries like Venezuela, Paraguay, Macedonia, Moldova, Iraq and Burkina Faso. These are six countries whose parliaments were attacked by patriotic citizens for adopting anti-people policies in the last three years. Just five days ago, precisely on Wednesday 5^th July, 2017 in Venezuela, pro-Maduro groups stormed Caracas congress accusing the lawmakers of standing in the way of President Nicolas Maduro’s reform policies and programmes.

Also, for adopting an unacceptable amendment to the country’s constitution, Paraguayans invaded parliament on 1^st April, 2017. The amendment would have allowed current President Horacio Cartes to be re-elected for another term. In the Balkans, the Macedonian congress at Skopje was invaded by supporters of President Zoran Zaev on 27^th April 2017.

Last year, Moldovan parliament in Chisinau was also stormed on Wednesday 20^th January 2016 by hundreds of demonstrators shouting ‘thieves!’ after parliament appointed a third prime minister within one year. Iraq’s protesters stormed parliament on 1^st May, 2016 demanding an end to corruption.

Burkina Faso parliament in Ouagadougou was burned down on October 30, 2014 when demonstrators vent their anger over a proposal to extend President Blaise Compaore's 27-year rule. The storming of the parliament building marked the culmination of several days of demonstrations.

These scenarios can be replicated in Abuja. Members of the NASS should not be deceived by the elitist environment of Abuja which, unlike Lagos, Kano, or Enugu, makes mobilization difficult. Our lawmakers should know that it is not impossible for a determined citizenry. Neither should they underestimate the Nigerian electorate. Nigerian parliamentarians should not test our will. Nigerians are sick and tired with legislative oligarchy and parliamentary terrorism.

This eighth NASS is severely detached from the citizenry. We voted the present administration into office to fight corruption. We are disappointed that the NASS has become the recruitment sergeant for corruption and a weapon for harassing, coercing and intimidating the symbols of change and champions of accountability like President Muhammadu Buhari, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Babatunde Fashola, etc.

We can no longer stand akimbo watching lawmakers who are paid with our hard-earned money destroying the future of coming generation of Nigerians. We want to see looters in jail. We want our stolen money recovered. We want special courts to try these sophisticated kleptomaniacs. 

Although protests against parliaments in other countries in the examples cited above have been characterized by violence resulting in injuries inflicted on lawmakers as well as destruction of properties, MURIC advocates non-violent action like the occupation of the NASS and peaceful rallies and protests in state assemblies by placard carrying patriots. We know the hawks in the NASS will not succumb easily. Nigerians must therefore be ready for a prolonged struggle. We must be determined. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. Dare to struggle, dare to win. There must be no retreat, no surrender.

Islamic liberation theological teachings enjoin citizens to stop evil doers and oppressors from perpetrating further evil (wa yanhawna ‘anil-munkar : Glorious Qur’an 3:104, 110; 31:17; 16:90). It warns that the wrongs committed by a few will sooner or later affect all if citizens do nothing (Qur’an 8:25) and that citizens must take necessary actions to effect change because Allah will not come down by Himself to change things for them (Qur’an 13:11). The hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) equally exhorts mankind to “hold the hands of evil doers” (ta’khudhuhu faoqa yadayhi).

As our concluding remarks, we remind Nigerians of the wise words of great men in history. Uthman Dan Fodio said, “In an unjust society, silence is a crime.” Dante Alighieri, an Italian Poet opined, “The hottest part of hell will be reserved for those who in times of moral crisis maintain their neutrality.” Lastly, Elie Wiesel fired man’s revolutionary instinct when he observed, "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest."

We remain oppressed until the hungry are fed, the sick healed, the naked clothed and the homeless sheltered.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
President,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC MOURNS SHAYKH MUSTAPHA ZUGHLOOL

6^th July 2017

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC MOURNS SHAYKH MUSTAPHA ZUGHLOOL

Shaykh Mustapha Zughlool departed this sinful world yesterday Wednesday 5^th July, 2017.  

An astute scholar and prolific writer, he was the proprietor of Daar ud-Da’wah Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Isolo, Lagos State. He authored many Islamic books.

Shaykh Zughlool was a great Islamic scholar, an indefatigable preacher, a mentor primus inter pareil, a humanist par excellence and an exemplary leader nulli secundus.

He was a great teacher and an outstanding researcher. He stands on the same pedestal as the late Shaykh Adam Al-Ilori. An incompatible team-player, he will be remembered for his great sense of humour, his unequalled power of delivery and his unparalleled eloquence. An exceedingly simple personality, his humility and generousity know no bounds.  

The death of Shaykh Zughlool is a great loss to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). He was our father, our mentor, our friend, our sponsor and above all, our spiritual pillar. We are already asking ourselves, “Who will replace this man?” We are mourning. We are devastated.

We console Nigerian Muslims to patiently bear this momentous loss since it is written that every soul shall taste of death (Glorious Qur’an 3:185).

Our hearts are with the family today. We share in their grief. We pray that Almighty Allah will give them the fortitude to bear the loss. May Allah forgive Shaykh Zughlool, have mercy on him and grant him al-Jannah Firdaus.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
President,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

ENTRENCH INTERNAL DEMOCRACY IN POLITICAL PARTIES

6^th July 2017

PRESS RELEASE:

ENTRENCH INTERNAL DEMOCRACY IN PARTIES

Ominous signs of the disintegration of Nigeria’s major political parties have started emerging. At least one began manifesting at the national level three years ago. Another one began rearing its ugly head at state level, in Lagos State to be precise, a few months back. 

The failure of a once powerful political party to respect a pact on power shift and a single term led to its fall at the center in the 2015 general elections. But just as contended by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel in his Phenomenology of Spirit that the only lesson men learn from history is that they learn nothing, Nigeria’s political parties appear to have closed their eyes and ears to the lessons of history.

This explains the rumblings at state level in a major political party over alleged imposition of candidates in the coming local government elections. If the attendant open protests in several cases are nothing to go by, the disenchantment of a national officer of the party with the undemocratic process cannot and should not be ignored by any serious political establishment.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) regards this development as a meteorological early warning signal and a barometer for gauging the political environment. The yellow light is up and Nigerian politicians must act now before it changes to red.

We expect the emergence of a mature and clearly defined political culture after fifty seven years of post-independence political experience. But there is nothing close to that in the political arena. What we have on ground is alarming: bolekaja politics, feudalism and godfatherism. These have led some political leaders to claim absolute control over who becomes what and who gets what.

The result is the emergence of feeding-bottle political office holders whose only vision is how to service the interest of their feudal lords and how to line the pockets of their political godfathers while neglecting the primary purpose of occupying political offices, namely, to serve the electorate.

Although we are not politicians, MURIC is concerned today because this ugly phenomenon is causing discontent in political camps. Political uncertainty often affects the stock market. The country’s foreign exchange experiences somersault. Prices go up and the masses cry for their dinner. The bandwagon effect cannot be interrupted.

We cannot ignore what is currently happening in Lagos State because every political development affects the lives of the citizens. It is either positive or negative but this one is more of the latter because it is capable of precipitating a political earthquake of monumental proportion. Allegations of imposition of candidates for coming local government elections are so loud that even the deaf have started complaining of noise-making.

Of course we do not have to be politicians before addressing issues affecting our dear country. Afterall we are, first and foremost, bona fide citizens. Secondly, we took our cue for speaking up on issues affecting Nigerians from Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who urged mankind to “use their hands to change evil, to speak against it if they could not use their hands and to pray against it if they are unable to speak …” But he concluded that mere praying against it is the weakest form of resistance to evil.

MURIC appeals to Nigerians to wake up and show interest in what is happening around them, be it religious, social, political or economic. It is high time we changed from being triangular citizens whose lives revolve around working, eating and sleeping. The tragedy of the Nigerian nation today lies in the passivity of its citizenry. That is why a Senate filled with ‘awaiting trial’ lawmakers is still in session and a House of Representatives has the temerity to initiate outrageous and pro-corruption bills. Nigerians must realize that freedom is never given on a platter of gold.

We do not have to be political scientists before we know that there is a symbiotic relationship between economic progress and political stability. This is why the top echelon of affected political parties must address the issues raised now. Internal democracy must be entrenched in our political parties to avoid them from being pocketed by a few money bags and political feudalists intent on establishing or expanding their self-serving political empires. It is always better to build strong institutions than to encourage the emergence of individuals who are too powerful.

One would have thought that the judicial acrobatics and factional razzmatazz being experienced currently by a once powerful political party would teach the others a lesson but it seems common sense is not so common. The time has come, therefore, for all stakeholders to speak up. Afterall the impact of the misadventures of politicians will not be felt by the politicians alone. On the contrary, just like the grass suffers most when two elephants fight, it is the common man who bears the grunt.

It was Steve Biko who said, “The  future  will  have  no  pity  for  those  men  who,  possessing  the  exceptional privilege  of  being  able  to  speak  words  of  truth  to  their  oppressors,  have instead  taken  refuge  in  an  attitude  of  passivity,  of  mute  indifference,  and sometimes,  of  cold  complicity.”

Finally, our appeal goes to leaders of political parties to tow the line of genuine internal democracy. Imposition of candidates robs society of the best materials. It sacrifices excellence on the altar of mediocrity. It is tyranny, feudalism and totalitarian dictatorship all rolled into one.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
President,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

BILL ON FULL AMNESTY FOR LOOTERS IS SATANIC

5^th July 2017

PRESS RELEASE:

BILL ON FULL AMNESTY FOR LOOTERS IS SATANIC

A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Linus Okorie from Ebonyi State, has allegedly sponsored a bill seeking full amnesty for treasury looters in Nigeria. The bill has reportedly scaled through the first reading within two weeks of its introduction on 14^th June and it is scheduled for the second reading this month.    

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is flabbergasted by the audacity of members of the House of Representatives in attempting such a headlong collision with the ongoing war against corruption. Nigeria’s lawmakers are venturing where angels fear to tread. It is provocative, shameless and luciferous.  

Coming at a time when the country is regaining its glory in the international community as a former most corrupt country in the world, this satanic bill seeks to take Nigeria’s public officials back to the inglorious days of graft with impunity.

It will be recalled that Nigeria was declared the Most Corrupt Country by Transparency International in the year 2001, ranked Second Most Corrupt in 2003 and Third Most Corrupt in 2004. Twelve years later, in May 2016 to be exact, former British prime minister David Cameron still had cause to describe Nigeria as one of the two most ‘fantastically corrupt’ countries in the world.

It is on record that the doggedness of the Buhari administration’s war against corruption has won accolades worldwide. Within just one and a half years of its inception, the same Transparency International which ranked Nigeria as the world’s Most Corrupt Country moved the country to number 136 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries in its Corruption Perception Index of January 2017.

It is most dishonourable that members of the House of Representatives now seek to undo what the Federal Government (FG) has been able to achieve in its current fight against corruption. The bill seeking amnesty for looters is a declaration of war against the Nigerian people.

MURIC calls on the House of Representatives to stop this bill immediately. It must not be allowed to go through the second reading.  We remind the Speaker that posterity will not forgive him if he allows this stench to soil his good name. Neither should the House take the docility of Nigerians for granted. National Assembly may be sitting on a keg of gun powder if it goes ahead to pass this obnoxious bill into law.      

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
President,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)