KUDOS TO 9TH NASS AT 2 - MURIC

 

17^th June, 2021

PRESS RELEASE:

KUDOS TO 9^TH NASS AT 2 - MURIC

 

The Nigerian National Assembly (NASS) which comprises the Senate and the House of Representatives marked two years of inauguration on Friday, 11^th June, 2021.

 

 

Meanwhile a member of the Nigerian civil society, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has given kudos to the 9^th NASS.

 

 

In a congratulatory message sent to the 9^th NASS by the director of the organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday, 17^th June, 2021, the human rights organisation described the 9^th NASS as forthright, progressive and people-oriented.

 

 

The statement reads:

 

“The Nigerian National Assembly (NASS) marked two years of inauguration on Friday, 11^th June, 2021.

 

 

“MURIC congratulates the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila and the entire members of the NASS on the auspicious occasion of the second anniversary of their inauguration.

 

 

“We note with immense pleasure the absence of any rigmarole, tension or conflict between the NASS and the executive arm of government since 11^th June 2019 when the 9^th NASS was inaugurated. This has engendered the smooth running of government as well as uninterrupted lawmaking process.

 

 

“The 9^th NASS has distinguished itself as a body of patriotic and hardworking lawmakers. For while its predecessor was known for footdragging courtesy of sarakisation from the Red House, the 9^th NASS has become synonymous with swiftness, business consciousness and concern for the plight of the Nigerian masses.

 

 

“For example, whereas the 8^th NASS introduced 2,166 bills and passed only 515 in its four years, the 9^th NASS has already introduced 2,002 bills in just two years and still counting. This can be attributed to the confrontational stance of the 8^th NASS in its relationship with the presidency and the divided interest of its members who took undue interest in shuttling between the courts and the NASS which is the place of their primary assignment.

 

 

“As a result of the confrontation with the executive, the 8^th NASS became a clog in the wheel of progress, blocking requests and rejecting the executive’s nominees. In the end, it was the Nigerian masses who suffered the consequences. Or what else could we have expected when budgets were delayed for months on end by the reactionary elements in the 8^th NASS?

 

 

“For instance, the 2016 budget of N6.06 trillion was not approved until 23^rd March, 2016. In 2017, the Federal Government’s budget of N7.441 trillion was delayed till 11^th May, 2017. The N8.612 trillion budget of 2018 suffered a similar fate in the hands of the Stone Age lawmakers of the 8^th NASS as it was approved on 16^th May, 2018. The N8.916 trillion budget of 2019 was approved two weeks earlier on 30^th April, 2019 perhaps because the presidency eventually allowed the lawmakers to add N86 billion to the original figure.

 

 

“The delay tactics and arm-twisting gimmicks of the 8^th NASS stands in contra-distinction to the businesslike approach of the present NASS. Nigerians could hardly believe it when the 2020 budget of N10.59 trillion was passed by the Lawan-Gbajabiamila progressive group of lawmakers on 6^th December, 2019. To cement the new trend, this dynamic assembly repeated the feat again as the 2021 budget of N13.588 trillion was given the green light on 21^st December, 2021.

 

 

“MURIC gives kudos to the 9^th NASS as a whole. We celebrate the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan for this remarkable feat. We commend Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila. These are exemplary leaders and true patriots of our land. These distinguished men and women have been sacrificing their time and resources to ensure that good governance and dividends of democracy are delivered to Nigerians at without tears.     

 

 

“It is therefore saddening to hear political chalartans, legislative shenanigans and conservative demagogues accusing the 9^th NASS of being a ‘rubber stamp’ institution. We reject such accusation in its entirety. It is false, malicious and untenable. The 9^th NASS is the people’s NASS. It deserves accolades, not knocks. It is cerebral.

 

 

“Before dropping the anchor, we appeal to the 9^th NASS to take a kind look at the plight of Nigerian Muslims. Islam has been in Nigeria before the 11^th century. The British colonial masters who were essentially Christians came in the 19^th century (1842) and subjected the Muslims to an environment which is totally alien to their faith. This situation should have been corrected immediately after Nigeria attained independence in 1960.

 

 

“We call on the 9^th NASS to set Nigerian Muslims free from neo-colonialism. The British designed army, police, paramilitary and school uniforms which suited adherents of the Christian faith and forced it on the Muslim population. Ditto for the nation’s common law which, of course, is Christian law.

 

 

“We appeal to the 9^th NASS to use its good office and seize the opportunity of the constitution amendment period to address the injustice done to Nigerian Muslims. The present uniforms used by the army, police and other paramilitary bodies do not allow the use of hijab. They are therefore an exclusive preserve of Christian women with its economic disadvantage to Muslims.

 

 

“This has resulted in a Christian-only female soldiers, policemen, customs, traffic wardens, etc. It rendered female Muslims jobless. All military and paramilitary uniforms should be made inclusive to accommodate female Muslim recruits, nurses, students, etc, by permitting the use of specially designed hijab with them. Other submissions and requests are contained in the memorandum submitted by MURIC to the Constitution Review Panel. It is our hope that the 9^th NASS will peruse and treat it alongside others.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

JUNE 12 : WERE NOT TEN CLEANSED? WHERE ARE THE NINE?

 

14^th June, 2021

PRESS RELEASE:

JUNE 12 : WERE NOT TEN CLEANSED? WHERE ARE THE NINE?

 

Some Nigerians in the Southern part of the country, particularly the South West marked Independence Day on Saturday, June 12, 2021 with demonstrations, thereby clashing with men of the Nigerian Police who were bent on maintaining law and order.      

 

 

However, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights organisation, has frowned on the protests. The group referred to the protesters as certificated ingrates, rebellious subjects and articulated enemies of peace. MURIC argued that the protesters have no moral ground to protest on June 12 since it was President Muhammadu Buhari alone who gave official recognition to that day when all past rulers had refused to do so.

 

 

MURIC spoke on Monday, 14^th June, 2021, through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

The statement reads:

 

“Some Nigerians in the Southern part of the country, particularly the South West marked Independence Day on Saturday, June 12, 2021 with demonstrations. Although in negligible numbers, the protests took place in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan and a few other places.

 

 

“We commend the police for handling the protests with maturity and professionalism as no casualties or brutalities were reported. However, the protesters exposed themselves as certificated ingrates, unrepentant rebellious subjects and articulated enemies of peace.

 

 

“June 12 should be a day for all Nigerians to celebrate Chief M.K.O. Abiola for his sacrifices on the altar of democracy. He was the man who paid the supreme sacrifice after winning the presidential election held on June 12, 1993 which was criminally annulled by the military.

 

 

“The Nigerian civil society, including MURIC, had been clamouring for the official recognition of that day as Democracy Day but none of our past rulers listened, not even Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who hails from the same city of Abeokuta like M.K.O. The former had all the chance in the world to declare June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day having ruled for eight years (1999 – 2007) but he bluntly refused to do so.

 

 

“It was a Northerner, a Fulani, President Muhammadu Buhari, who eventually proclaimed June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. It is our contention that for that alone, the people of the South West should show gratitude to Buhari. But what do we see?

 

 

“It was demonstrations galore. The most shameful, most reprehensible and most preposterous was the open participation of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who marched on the streets of Ibadan with protesters chanting ‘Buhari Must Go’. It is most naïve for a sitting executive governor who came into office riding on the back of democracy to join a group seeking the removal of a democratically elected president through undemocratic means. It was a great disservice to the memory of M.K.O. Abiola. Seyi Makinde is an ingrate nulli secundus. He should apologise to Nigerians for his immature behaviour.

 

 

“Those protesters definitely missed the point and lost their bearing because Nigerians, particularly people of the South West, should be showing gratitude to Buhari for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day instead of partaking in an unnecessary protest.

 

 

“The Qur’an gives immense honour to those who appreciate goodness. Allah says, ‘If you are grateful, I will increase my favours on you. But if you disbelieve, certainly my punishment is indeed severe’ (Glorious Qur’an 14:7).

 

 

“On his way to Jerusalem, while passing between Samaria and Galilee, Jesus (may peace be upon him) was met by ten lepers who begged him to heal them. Although he cured them all, only one of them, a Samaritan, a ‘foreigner’, came back to show gratitude and he was asked, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?’ (Luke 17:11-17).

 

 

“As if in response to this rhetorical question, a larger group of demonstrators gathered in Abuja to show solidarity with Buhari. They drummed, sang and danced. These are ‘the nine’ and we commend them for their wisdom boldness and patriotism.

 

 

“MURIC calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore those who are ungrateful to him. He should continue his good works. We ask him to reflect on the words of Allah where He said, ‘What does Allah stand to gain if you show gratitude and belief? Allah is the One who shows gratitude (i.e. Allah is the One who knows how to reward good deeds) and He knows everything’ (Glorious Qur’an 4:147).

 

 

“Therefore, our message to Mr. President is this: Just continue your good works. Expect no gratitude from some Nigerians. But many others appreciate you. Most importantly, Allah will definitely reward you here in this world and yaom al-Qiyamah (in the Hereafter).

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

 

IGANGAN : MURIC CONDEMNS ALL KILLINGS

 

11^th June, 2021

PRESS RELEASE:

IGANGAN : MURIC CONDEMNS ALL KILLINGS

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights organisation, has condemned the spate of killings in the country, including the most recent one in Igangan, Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State. The group also called on Nigerians to stop the vicious cycle of killings and kidnappings.

 

 

The director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made this known in a press release issued on Friday, 11^th June, 2021.

 

 

The statement reads:

 

 

“We are horrified by the spate of killings in all parts of Nigeria. Just as we condemn the most recent one in Igangan, Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State which occurred on Sunday, 6^th June, 2021, we equally denounce the killing which preceded it in the same Igangan a few months ago. Not only that, we decry all other killings and kidnappings around the country. We reject all forms of violence.

 

 

“As a national organisation with members spread across all parts of the country, MURIC must objectively look at the broad spectrum of killings and condemn all. We cannot treat one act of criminality in isolation and ignore others as if those killed in those areas are not human beings. That will be selective, parochial and myopic. We therefore berate all killings. We decry all forms of violence. That is why our motto is ‘Dialogue, Not Violence’.

 

 

“In particular, we strongly condemn the killing of policemen and soldiers in some parts of the country. Those who target security agents for killing can never succeed in enthroning orderly civilisation. They are simply opening the doors for criminalities of all ramifications and installing a reign of terror.

 

 

“Every Nigerian life is precious to us in MURIC. We hurt and grieve when people of Eastern Nigeria are killed. We feel the pain when those of the South West lose their lives to violence. Our hearts bleed when people of the Middle Belt get hurt and we mourn when Northerners are killed. It does not matter to us whether those who died are Christians or Muslims. Life is sacred. It is precious. Every human being deserves to live in peace and dignity.

 

 

“We call attention to the national spread and ‘federal character’ of the violence that has engulfed Nigeria in recent time. There is ample evidence that it is not limited to any particular region, state or tribe. It has been all-embracing. Just as bandits and cattle rustlers pound us in the North, gunmen ravage our land in the South East and South West.

 

 

“This phenomenon was predicted in the Glorious Qur’an 30:41 when the sacred book says, ‘Mischief has appeared on both land and sea as a result of the handiworks of men’.

 

 

“What we are saying in essence is that the killings are not limited to the recent one in Igangan. Bandits are killing hundreds in Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto, etc. For example, just yesterday, 10^th June, 2021, Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State expressed the fear that there may be famine in the state very soon as a result of the criminal activities of herdsmen which has forced farmers to abandon the farms.

 

 

“It is therefore misleading to jump to the conclusion that one region is out to eliminate or dominate any particular region. That is why we must eschew the insurrectionist agenda springing up in the South East and South West. We must all come together to fight the violent elements invading our communities.

 

 

“The way forward lies in the hands of the state governors as the hands of the Federal Government are full fighting Boko Haram insurgents. It is an open secret that governors receive huge amounts of money monthly as security vote. They should spend this money on securing their territories by establishing and empowering local security outfits.   

 

 

“It is in this regard that we commend those governors who have instituted one form of local vigilante group or another. However, the governors should followup this establishment with empowerment. It is not enough to recruit just five hundred securitymen for a whole state. Cities are conquered by numbers. Therefore, the governors should recruit thousands of Amotekun, EbebuAgu, Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and others and arm them to the teeth in order to enable them tackle all criminals. Criminal herdsmen and bandits must be dealt with according to the law in Kaduna, Ondo, Sokoto, Enugu, Ekiti, etc.  

 

 

“Above all, we must realise that no amount of preparation to defend our territories can be as effective as consciously working for peace and seeking harmony. Nigerians must change their mindset. Our problem is perception. Every tribe suspects the other. Every region nurses grudges against the other. The myth of the North-South dichotomy has congealed into such a thick reality that one can cut it with a knife.     

 

 

“We therefore appeal to all to embrace the current peace efforts of elder statesmen. Nigerians of all ethnicities must stop looking for revenge. Vengeance is nothing but a launching pad for a vicious cycle. Those who revenge murder sleep. They shall sleep no more. This is because revenge is a cold dish that compels the victims to warm its contents. Vengeance is a square peg in a round hole. What you seek is not exactly what you get. Besides, you only know your own heroes and fighters whereas every tribe has its own campions and heroes. Killings can only beget killings.  

 

 

“This is why the Glorious Qur’an advocates the repelling of evil with righteousness. ‘Goodness and evil are incomparable. Pay evil with goodness and see how your erstwhile enemy transforms to an intimate friend’ (Qur’an 41:34). Allah is called the Mighty, the Avenger (‘aziizun dhul intiqaam, Qur’an 3:4). In the same vein, the Bible teaches forgiveness, ‘Forgive, that you may be forgiven. For if you do not forgive, neither will your Father, which is in heaven’ (Mathew 6:14). There will be enduring peace if both Christians and Muslims follow these teachings instead of seeking a pound of flesh from one another.

 

 

“Now a look at the highlights of our advocacy: MURIC condemns the killing of one another by Nigerians, particularly the two separate killing sessions in Igangan and the killing of policemen. Life is sacred. The killings are happening everywhere: North and South. They have a national spread and they are not targeted at any particular group or tribe. State governors must establish security outfits while existing ones like Amotekun, EbebuAgu and JTF must be armed to the teeth. Nigerians must stop seeking vengeance against one another otherwise the vicious cycle of violence will not stop.

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)