EDO GUBER RACE: ODION AKHAINE DESERVES THE SLOT - MURIC

 

19^th January, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

EDO GUBER RACE: ODION AKHAINE DESERVES THE SLOT - MURIC

As the battle for the primaries of the Edo State gubernatorial election gets hotter, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has made a case for one of the candidates, Professor Odion Akhaine. The group contends that Odion Akhaine deserves the ticket because of his role as the General Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) which was in the forefront of the battle to halt military rule in the 90s.

 

This was revealed in a statement issued on Friday, 19th January, 2024 by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The full statement reads:

"We are keenly monitoring developments in Edo State where party faithfuls are getting ready for the gubernatorial election which is billed for Saturday, 21st September, 2024.

 

 

"Of particular interest to us in the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is the candidature of Professor Odion Akhaine who is vying for the post of governor in the election.

 

"Though a non-Muslim, it is our wish to identify with him and give him solid solidarity in view of the momentous role he played during the struggle to free Nigeria from the vicious claws of military dictators particularly after the annulment of the results of the June 12, 1993 election.

 

"As the General Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) in those days, Professor Odion Akhaine was in the trenches with the likes of Dr. Beko Ransom Kuti, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Professor Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana, Uba Sani and other pro-democracy activists. He also spent time in prison for confronting the military. Odion Akhaine is therefore one of the heroes of democracy in Nigeria.

 

"Unfortunately today, many of those who fought for our democracy and paid costly prices have been forgotten by those who are reaping the fruits of democracy.

"It is paradoxical that apart from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, we cannot find those who were actually in the trenches in the corridors of power today. In actual fact, there had been near total blackout of pro-democracy activists from the corridors of power from 1999 until the emergence of President Tinubu and Uba Sani in 2023.

 

"While Tinubu gave critical logistic support to both the CD and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in those days, Odion Akhaine was the engine room of the CD, a dynamic and articulate human rights group that gave the military tyrants sleepless nights by organizing civil disobedience throughout the country.

 

"It is therefore a matter of necessity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to show interest in the candidature of Odion. The camaraderie of human rights activism should come to the fore when we come across those with whom we dodged bullets and those with whom we outwitted 'tails' either on the highways or in the streets in those tough days.

 

"It is for the same raison d'etre that MURIC deems it necessary to speak up for Odion Akhaine. We worked closely with him during the struggle for June 12 and we found him to be a man of character, a man of immense courage, a man of integrity and, above all, a great patriot.

 

"He may not be a Muslim like us but he is the face of equal rights, fairplay, justice, democratic rule and the rule of law. Odion Akhaine is the embodiment of humanity. We endorse him.

 

"It is true that MURIC protects Allah-given fundamental human rights of Muslims, but our focus goes beyond the promotion of the interests of Muslims alone. We will also go to great lengths to identify with and support men and women of valour, values and character. We will project humanity.

 

"As the youngest candidate from Edo Central that has only produced a governor who spent just 18 months in office while other zones in the state have produced governors who spent 16 and 8 years, justice and fairness and inclusiveness will be served by picking Odion.

 

"We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo and the good people of Edo State to support the candidature of Professor Odion Akhaine. He is the great treasure without measure that the party cannot afford to lose in Edo State.

 

"Let us reward those who sacrificed for democracy but have not benefitted from it even after 25 years. As we honour the fathers of the Nigerian nation like Ahmadu Bello, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, let us also honour the heroes of democracy, those who saved us from the wide open jaws of military totalitarianism. Give Odion Akhaine the chance to serve Edo State." 

#PresidentTinubu

#EdoGuberRace

#SupportDemocracyHero

#SupportOdionAkhaine

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

INVESTIGATE EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING OF 11 FULANIS IN KADUNA: MURIC TELLS HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ARMY

 

17^th January, 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

INVESTIGATE EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING OF 11 FULANIS IN KADUNA: MURIC TELLS HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ARMY

 

The Fulani of Tulde Fulbe, Ladduga Grazing Reserve in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State have accused the Nigerian Army of killing eleven of their men after arresting them. Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the House of Representatives Committee on Army to investigate the incident.

 

 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 17^th January, 2024 by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group demanded full investigation into the alleged extra-judicial killing.

 

The full statement reads :

 

“Eleven Fulani men from Tulde Fulbe, Ladduga Grazing Reserve in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State were allegedly killed in an extra-judicial manner by soldiers who arrested them under a flimsy excuse. Their decomposing bodies were found in a forest located near an area called ‘Crossing’ within the local government area on Monday, 15^th January, 2024 (https://dailytrust.com/bodies-of-11-fulani-arrested-by-soldiers-found-in-kaduna-forest/)

 

 

“The fact that their bodies were identified by relatives and community members as those of the Fulani allegedly arrested by soldiers in the area at different times lends credence to the allegation. This is more than a cock and bull story.

 

 

“All the eleven victims were identified as Safiyanu Adamu, Abdulkadir Idris, Akilu Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Magaji Umar, Said Saleh, Abdulaziz Yusuf, Ibrahim Sani, Musa Dan Asabe, Nura Yusuf and Nuru Magaji. They were said to have been arrested by soldiers.

 

 

“MURIC strongly condemns the profiling of the Fulani in certain areas of this country. We denounce the targeted killing of the Fulani race. It smirks of racial cleansing, unwarranted stigmatization and wanton tribal bigotry. Extra-judicial killing of Fulanis in particular is a vicious infringement on their Allah-given fundamental human rights to life and freedom of movement as guaranteed in Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

 

“Whereas the section referred to above says inter alia, ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof…’, the Fulani are hounded from pillar to post. From the South East to the South West, from the plateau to the forests of Kaduna, nowhere is safe for the Fulani race.

 

 

“We invoke Article 14 Section 2(b) of the1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’ to ask the Federal Government to protect the Fulani who have become an endangered specie throughout the country.  

 

 

“MURIC charges the House of Representatives Committee on the Army to wade into this recent killing. Our people deserve to enjoy the freedom promised by the politicians during the campaigns. Where are the House members from Kaduna State? We call them out loud and clear. The extra-judicial killing of eleven Fulanis of Tulde Fulbe, Ladduga Grazing Reserve in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State must be fully investigated and the culprits brought to book.”

 

#FulaniLivesMatter

#ElevenTuldeFulbeFulanis

#HouseCommitteeOnArmy

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

 

 

 

GOV ADELEKE SHOULD OPEN A DANCE SCHOOL – MURIC

 

15^th January 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

GOV ADELEKE SHOULD OPEN A DANCE SCHOOL – MURIC

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has advised Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to open a dance school. The group said such an institution will be the governor's legacy in the state.

The advice was given in a statement issued on Monday, 15th January, 2024 by the group's Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said:

"The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has become popular with his dancing skill. He shows off his skill at every given opportunity, at public functions and official sittings. It is one thing that he takes great joy in doing.

"We admit that even his opponents admire his skill while his supporters are thrilled by his dancing. One can never have a dull moment with Governor Adeleke around. He does it with passion and takes great pride in it. Such skill should not be allowed to waste away.

"It is for this reason we will like to suggest to the governor to bequeath his skill to the youth of Osun State by opening a dance school. In the alternative, the governor can inject powerful doses of government investment in the arts department of the Osun State University with special bias for dancing.

"Such investment may catapult the state's tourism and entertainment to the highest pedestal among other states of the federation. It will also increase its internally generated revenue (IGR). This is one way Osun can make the best of the present situation. Adeleke has a potential legacy already."

#Adeleke

#OpenDanceSchool

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

MURIC CONDOLES ZULUM ON DEATH OF ISA GUSAU

 

13^th January 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONDOLES ZULUM ON DEATH OF ISA GUSAU

Mallam Isa Gusau, the spokesperson of the governor of Borno State, died two days ago in faraway New Delhi, India, after a protracted illness. Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commiserated with Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

In a statement issued on Saturday, 13^th January, 2024 by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC urged the governor to take Gusau's death in the spirit of the philosophy of death in Islam: ubiquitous, unavoidable and a necessary end.

The human rights organization also condoled the Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar El-Kanemi as well as the entire Borno Muslim Community. 

Akintola described Gusau's death as painful and a heavy loss. He also described the deceased as a devoted Muslim, a professional to the core, a humanist, an idealist and a principled family man. 

He prayed for Allah's forgiveness and aljannah firdaus for Mallam Isa Gusau. He also prayed that members of the deceased's family, friends and acquaintances will have the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. 

#IsaGusau

#BornoGovernor

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

GIVE WIDOWS 4 AND HALF MONTHS LEAVE - MURIC

 

12^th January 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

GIVE WIDOWS 4 AND HALF MONTHS LEAVE - MURIC

A call has gone to the Federal Government (FG) and all state governments to give female employees four and a half months leave when their husbands die. The call was made on Friday, 12th January, 2024 by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

His full statement reads :

"Our attention has been drawn to the predicament of widows nationwide regarding the way they are treated by their employers immediately after their husbands die. It is common knowledge that the Nigerian government does not recognize or give any particular succour to working women whose husbands die. More often than not, they are left at the mercy of their employers who may or may not give them one or two days off duty. 

"This is heartless to say the least. A woman who loses her husband to the wicked hands of death is going through a harrowing experience. Losing her husband to the cold hands of death is a tragic landmark in a woman's life. She needs sympathy, companionship and plenty of time to rest. Her life needs replanning, re-engineering and reorientation. The least her employer can do for her is to give her time for all that. 

"This is why the Glorious Qur'an in chapter 2 verse 234 stipulates a recovery or waiting period of four months and ten days for Muslim women whose husbands just died. The fact that the command comes from the Glorious Qur’an makes it a fundamental human right enjoined by Allah. It is Allah-given. It is divine, not human. Therefore, no individual homo sapien, institution or government should oppose or deny it.

"This period is called 'iddah in Islam. A new Muslim widow must observe the 'iddah not only for her to recover but also for her and her husband’s family to ascertain if she has been pregnant before the husband died. She is expected to remain indoors throughout the period. 

"As always, MURIC remains committed to the welfare of Nigerians, particularly vulnerable ones like women and children. We appeal to both the FG and state governments to consider the case of widows on compassionate ground.

“We could have demanded the widows' leave for Muslim widows alone because it is the Glorious Qur'an that commands it. But then the issue of equal rights come in and a human rights group like MURIC cannot afford to be selective while demanding Allah-given fundamental human rights for women. Why would a Christian widow be denied a relief enjoyed by a Muslim widow when both are hit by the same calamity?

"We therefore demand a four and a half months leave for all widows working in federal, state and private establishments. We note with immense pleasure that even men now enjoy paternity leave. 

"This widows' leave therefore becomes a question of good conscience for states that have already granted paternity leave to men. For if men enjoy paternity leave when their wives deliver new babies, it stands both logic and good conscience on their heads if we fail to extend similar relief to distressed and twice vulnerable widows."

"MURIC charges Islamic organizations and individual Islamic scholars to begin the lobby on the corridors of state governments practicing Shari'ah. They have no alibi for not implementing this Shari'ah-compliant policy for widows."

#SupportWidows

#ShowWidowsMercy

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

SHAYKH HAFIZ ABU : IT IS A COLOSSAL LOSS - MURIC

 

10^th January 2024

PRESS RELEASE:

SHAYKH HAFIZ ABU : IT IS A COLOSSAL LOSS - MURIC

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described the death of the Baba Adinni of Lagos, Shaykh Hafiz Abu, as a colossal loss. Shaykh Abu died yesterday, Tuesday, 9th January, 2024. He was 101 years old. 

 

 

This was revealed in a statement issued on Wednesday, 10th January, 2024 by Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC.

 

 

"Shaykh Abu was born in the Ita Akanni area of Lagos on 10th August 1922. He attended the Lagos Government School, Ansaruddeen School and Al-Azhar University, Cairo where he obtained the B. A. degree in Arabic. He spent 14 years in Cairo (1944-1958) acquiring different experiences of Islamic culture.

 

 

"He was a quintessential Islamic scholar, humble, warm and unassuming. He loved the young and old and he was so loved. He was the doyen of the Lagos Muslim Community. If he ever had any enemy in his lifetime, it must be Shaytan (Satan) himself. 

 

 

"The whole life of the centinerian is an open book full of lessons for both the young and old. We charge Muslim leaders to emulate his simple way of life and his piety. 

 

 

"MURIC commiserates with the Chief Imam of Lagos, Shaykh (Engr) Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abu Noula, the Chairman of the Lagos Muslim Community, Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi and the entire Lagos Muslim Community. 

 

 

"We pray that Almighty Allah will grant him peace until the Day of Judgement and place him in aljannah firdaus thereafter. Aamiin." 

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).