ANAMBRA ELECTION: WE CONDEMN HARASSMENT OF OPPOSITION

17^th November, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

ANAMBRA ELECTION: WE CONDEMN HARASSMENT OF OPPOSITION

The gubernatorial election was held in Anambra yesterday with reports of irregularities, violence and intervention by security operatives. Election was cancelled in 65 wards. Men of the State Security Services (SSS) also allegedly put Mallam Nasir El-Rufai under house arrest while about 120 APC supporters who were on their way to Anambra were detained in Owerri, Imo State.

These are very disturbing developments. Nigeria should be able to do better after several years of democratic experience. The cancellation of election in 65 wards which the opposition describes as its stronghold gives cause for serious concern. In the same vein, the curtailment of the movement of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, a key opposition figure, to a hotel room is an unacceptable breach of his fundamental right of movement, election or no election.

The detention of several opposition members whom the opposition claims were election observers is symptomatic of arbitrary use of security agents. The intention of the authors of this action can only be antithetical to democratic principles.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) calls for the immediate lifting of the house arrest imposed on El-Rufai and the unconditional release of the APC election observers. A situation where party agents and observers are coerced is bound to create suspicion and its attendant fallouts. We assert that a free and fair election is sine qua non in a true democracy. A level playing ground must be provided for all the parties contesting in elections.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

08182119714

WE REJECT MISCHIEVOUS PRE-NATIONAL CONFERENCE MEETINGS

12^th November, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

WE REJECT MISCHIEVOUS PRE-NATIONAL CONFERENCE MEETINGS

The Presidential Committee on the proposed National Conference has held two sittings in the South West to date (one in Akure, Ondo State and the other in Lagos).

It was not an accident that Friday was picked on both occasions while the time for starting the sittings was 1.30 pm. We assert clearly, unambiguously and unequivocally that neither the day picked nor the time was coincidental. The members of the committee are not foreigners. They knew what they were doing. There is no single Nigerian who does not know that Friday is the day of worship for Muslims and that the time for Jum’ah prayer is 12.30 to 2.30 pm.

To have slated such a sensitive sitting for the Muslim prayer time is not only mischievous but preposterous, disdainful and absolutely unacceptable. It is also most undemocratic because democracy is all about participation and equal opportunity to participate. It is also an invitation to chaos. What if the marginalized Muslims had stormed the venue with protests? Could it have been done out of ignorance? But how can the committee claim to be ignorant in such a very sensitive circumstance?

The result of this badly planned pre-National Conference meeting held in Akure and Lagos was the exclusion of the Muslim population and their representatives. This is a significant misrepresentation particularly in a region in which the Muslims form the majority. It reveals an unnecessary attempt to rush the National Conference. The outcome of such a conference can only scratch the surface. Only the deep can call to the deep. The plan as presently designed will merely sweep the issues under the carpet. A country that has long been bedeviled with ethnic and religious conflicts need more serious planning.

Furthermore, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) regards the need to raise and fully discuss religious matters at the conference as fundamental and non-negotiable. There is no gainsaying the fact that religion has been responsible for most conflicts in this country. Why then are the organizers of the purported ‘National Conference’ laying emphasis on ethnicity alone? Any attempt to hold a national conference in this country without discussing religion will be an exercise in futility. The injustice of the colonial masters against the Muslims must be discussed at the conference.

MURIC contends that Nigeria as it stands today is a neocolonialist project serving the purpose of the colonial master and the imperialists alone. The colonialists adopted a parochial method through which they virtually eliminated all vestiges of Islam which they met on ground. This they did by using sheer force, divide et impera and so many other subterfuges. The British bequeathed to us a legacy which was heavily tainted with their own perception of religion in all aspects of life: education, health, law, etc.

Today, Nigerian Muslims see our so called independence in 1960 as cosmetic, our republican status in 1963 as window-dressing and our democracy today as a monumental fraud.  This injustice against Muslims must be addressed at the National Conference if this government seeks genuine peace. Christians and Muslims must enjoy equal rights in all fields in a post-National Conference Nigeria. That is why we must invite both groups to tell Nigerians what they want.

The exclusion of Muslims from the pre-National Conference meetings in the South West is part of a massive plan to permanently keep Muslims from the geo-political zone at bay. We decry this attempt as undemocratic, non-participatory and Bohemian. Nigeria’s search for peace must be genuine. It is therefore hypocritical to exclude religion from the theme of the conference.

We are alarmed by the shoddy preparations and the rush. Besides, we wish to warn that a booby trap lies ahead if the National Conference is combined with the 2015 general elections.

In view of the poor publicity for the past two sittings in the South West, we demand that the committee fixes other dates for the sub-region. These dates must be given due publicity in the print and electronic media. A national conference is not a child’s play and cannot be prepared for in secrecy. What is the committee trying to hide?

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

08182119714

PRESS RELEASE: LESSONS IN GOLDEN EAGLETS’ VICTORY

10^th November, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

LESSONS IN GOLDEN EAGLETS’ VICTORY

Nigeria’s Under 17 National Team, the Golden Eaglets, defeated its Mexican counterpart in the final leg of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013 on Friday, 8^th November, 2013 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Golden Eaglets thus became the first team ever to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup four times having won it in 1985, 1993, and 2007.  In all, Nigeria scored 26 goals in seven matches and conceded 5 only.

Not only that, the team also won the FIFA Fair Play award for its sportsmanship and approach to the game. The team’s highest goalscorer, Kelechi Iheanacho, emerged as the competition’s most outstanding player by winning the Adidas Golden Ball. He also won the Adidas Silver Boot as the competition’s second highest goalscorer with six goals, one behind the top scorer Valmir Berisha of Sweden. Goalkeeper Dele Alampasu also won the Adidas Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

These laurels can be attributed to good preparation by the team’s handlers, vision of its leadership, sacrifice from both the handlers and the players and, above all, the spirit of unity among the players.

The outcome of this global tournament has revealed that religion and ethnicity are parochial barometers in choosing who leads Nigeria as well as in assessing their performance. What really matters is delivery, transparency, probity and accountability. If the combinations of Kelechi Ihenacho, Awoniyi, Chidera Ezeh, Dele Alampasu Musa Yahaya, Muhammed the captain, Abdulahi Alfa and goalkeeper can put aside religious and ethnic sentiments, what stops Aso Rock from treating Christians and Muslims equally in all matters?

The fact that the Golden Eaglet team consists of Christians and Muslims, Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba who worked in unison sends a strong and indubitable signal to Nigeria’s religious and traditional leaders, urging them to close ranks.

The young Nigerians who donned the nation’s battle fatigue in Abu Dhabi have demonstrated the fact that unity is what we need to move this country forward. They have also shown us that to achieve unity, there must be social justice, equal rights and rule of law.

It is crystal clear from the outcome of the universal sporting exercise that Nigeria can still get it right if we do it right. We can get it right if we stop putting square pegs in round holes. We must therefore stop the recycling of leadership or its rotation among the capitalist bourgeoisie. This does not necessarily mean forceful seizure of wealth from the rich as posited by the communists. Those who obtain their wealth through legitimate means must be allowed to enjoy the fruits of their labour while they guide the country to the path of greatness using their immense experience in business.

The body language of these young heroes has communicated an important message to Nigerians: that our youths possess great potentials and should be given the opportunity to showcase their various skills in different fields. The feat achieved by these young boys has exposed the hypocrisy of successive Nigerian leadership. It has revealed that Nigeria’s hope lies in its youths.

Yet in order to bring out the best in the young ones, they must be given the best education to meet international best practices. But whereas the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommends that 26% of the budget of every country should be set aside for education, Nigeria has always fallen tragically short, particularly from the 70s.

The failure to fund the universities properly based on the recommendation of UNESCO has robbed the nation of the much needed manpower to turn around Nigeria’s fortune. It was a great disservice to the young ones. Yet today it is this same oppressed, undernourished, under-funded and highly deprived young ones, the Golden Eaglets, who have lifted the banner of Nigeria to high heavens in far away Abu Dhabi and our leaders had no qualms sending an allegedly overbloated 250-strong Federal Government delegation after the meal was cooked and ready!

This is one meal our leaders cannot beat their chests to claim its preparation. The past and present leaders should therefore bury their heads in shame at the monumental degradation in the education sector and the Federal Government must turn repentant and attend to the needs of the sector with immediate effect.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

08182119714

POLICE INVASION OF nPDP MEETING: TIME TO CREATE STATE POLICE

30^th October, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

POLICE INVASION OF nPDP MEETING: TIME TO CREATE STATE POLICE

The Nigeria Police recently invaded the venue of a meeting of the G7 Governors held inside the lodge of one of the governors in Abuja.

This is another disturbing development in the Nigerian political arena. It should also interest all stakeholders in the Nigerian project. It does not matter whether we are politicians or not. Nigerians must watch the style of the ruling party. Whole governors are blocked by the police from entering their lodges. The same police is used to seal up opposition secretariats. Police chiefs withdraw security details of state chief executives and now the opposition is not free to associate or hold meetings.

It all boils down to the ruling party using the police to harass the opposition. Those who have been calling for the creation of state police were right afterall. It has become very glaring that the centre is too powerful, giving credence to the saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The need to create state police formations has now become imperative. There must be balance of power.

It was this type of federal recklessness which led past politicians to call on the army to take over power in this country. The buck stops at Mr. President’s table and we hold him responsible for PDP’s political extremism. From the way and manner this country is being run, we are tempted to believe that if Allah lives in Nigeria, our leaders will attempt to break His window. There is absolute lack of the fear of Allah in the attitude of those in power.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is shocked by the impunity of the ruling party. We are deeply worried that the PDP has failed to learn from history. It adds luster to the aphorism that the only lesson that men learn from history is that men learn nothing from history. If January 15^th 1966 is too far in the annals of Nigerian history, what of the recent Egyptian military takeover of power in Egypt?

MURIC is concerned because we know the repercussions of military rule. Or is our memory so short? The features of military rule are very frightening: dictatorship, corruption, lack of accountability, arbitrary arrests, koboko mentality, infringement on fundamental human rights, etc. Our people stress the need to tell the deaf’s son about the excesses of his father so that the latter may eventually hear.

Nigerians must borrow a leaf from the Glorious Qur’an. Chapter 8 verse 25 says, “And fear a tumult which will not affect the culprits alone. And know that Allah is strict in punishment”. It is therefore not this PDP leadership alone that will suffer the consequences of its lawlessness.

MURIC appeals to well-meaning Nigerians and true patriots to call the PDP leadership to order. It was Samuel Butler who said, “Silence is not always tact, and it is tact that is golden, not silence.” The time to speak up is now. We charge the international community to wade in now before this crisis escalates.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

08182119714

THREAT TO DEMOLISH OPPOSITION SECRETARIAT

24^th October, 2013

 PRESS RELEASE:

THREAT TO DEMOLISH OPPOSITION SECRETARIAT: 

IT IS AN INVITATION TO ANARCHY

The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) FCT yesterday insisted that the building used by the opposition party, the PDP's breakaway faction, located in the high brow Maitama District in Abuja, would be demolished for alleged violation of land use. The building has continued to be under siege, with riot policemen mounting guard around it for more than four weeks.

We observe that the same building had earlier been used as the national secretariat of another political party, the National Democratic Party (NDP), before the Baraje faction of the PDP acquired it. It is interesting that FCTA did not realise that it violated land use at that time. The fact that FCTA still wants the secretariat destroyed despite the fact that the building had been seized by the police for weeks reveals the desperation in the actions of this regime. We warn that it is an invitation to anarchy if the secretariat is pulled down. Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.     

It is also a strong piece of evidence that the ruling party is jittery. It is losing confidence in its ability to win the next election through fair means. Desperate to hold onto power, it has unleashed every weapon in its arsenal, both fair and foul, to intimidate the opposition. We therefore express the fear that the ruling party is already busy putting finishing touches to a super plan to rig the next election. The proposed national conference which the government has embraced overnight and which it is pursuing with alarming vigour may be one of the smokescreens.

It is the considered opinion of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) that FCTA's body language constitutes credible threat to a free and peaceful 2015 election. This must concern every Nigerian citizen as well as the international community. By taking these actions, this government can best be described as oppressive and tyrannical. Or how else can any sensible person describe a regime that plans to demolish a building simply because it perceives the owner to be anti-government?

It is this same regime that has subjected Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State to severe travails thereby preventing the governor from delivering the dividends of democracy to the citizens of the state. Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko was suspended from the PDP simply because he did not pick the telephone call from PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur.

Is this democracy? The opposition is being witchhunted. Planes conveying key opposition figures are not being allowed in Nigerian airspace. The police is being used to coerce governors perceived as unfriendly. Opposition figures are being hounded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These actions are the hallmarks of totalitarian dictatorship. President Jonathan does not brook opposition. He is an interesting study in the dictatorship of the left. The handwriting on the wall points to the fact that despots have hijacked power in Nigeria. This is a serious threat to peace in this country.

MURIC calls on all opposition parties in the country not to relent in their efforts to defend democracy and the rule of law. Nigeria must be rescued from the desperate clutches of tyrants and reactionary elements. We charge civil society to stand up and be counted in the battle for the defence of the golden principles of good governance: liberty, social justice and the rule of law.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

08182119714

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),

234-803-346-4974

234-818-211-9714

E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk

            muslimrights@gmail.com

Website: www.muric.net

Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights

Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com

Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimrights

               

MURIC's bank account :

Banker's Name: Guaranty Trust Bank

Account Name:        Muslim Rights Concern
Account Number:    0112827277

Be just Justice is the soul of peace

No one can deny one and have the other

Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

PRESS RELEASE:

ANOTHER PLANE CRASH IN LAGOS:

ONE TRAGEDY TOO MANY

Another  plane has crashed in Lagos. The plane, belonging to Associated Airlines, crashlanded one minute after take off. The plane was headed for Akure with about 20 on board. It was conveying the corpse of deceased ex-Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, who was due for burial in his home town of Iju-Odo this weekend. Report indicated that 16 of the people on board died in the crash while there were four survivors. Widow of the deceased ex- Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, Funke, his first son; son of former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae, Deji; son of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and owner of MIC Undertakers, Okusanya and workers of MIC are suspected to be among the victims.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) commisserates with those who lost their beloved ones in this tragic plane mishap. We charge the Nigerian authorities to do something urgently to arrest the spate of air mishaps in the country. All aircrafts must be thoroughly inspected to ensure their airworthiness. Those found to be unfit should have their licences withdrawn. In addition, an inquiry must be conducted to identify the immediate and remote causes of this plane crash. Any person or persons found culpable must be made to face the wrath of the law in order to serve as deterrent to such lapses in future.

We also nurse the fear that corruption in the aviation industry may have been responsible for the failure of aviation officials to detect faulty aircrafts and stop them from being used to ferry Nigerians. Nigerians must therefore come together to fight the corruption cankerworm which has eaten so deep into the anatomy of the nation.

Finally, MURIC condoles the Agagu family who appears to have borne the brunt of this crash. We feel the pains of all those who lost dear ones. May Allah strentghen them all and give them cause to smile again very soon.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
08182119714

SALLAH MESSAGE

SALAH MESSAGE:

START SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM NOW  

Muslims around the world are now marking the Id al-Kabir to commemorate the spiritual experiences encountered by Prophet Ibrahim (may he be blessed) his wife Hajarat and those of his son Ismail.   The crux of the lessons in the Salah lies in readiness to make sacrifices in the interest of others, willingness to fulfill promises and to implement agreements. Prophet Ibrahim who was still childless at old age made a pledge to Allah that he would sacrifice his son if Allah gave him one. Despite the serious implications of this pledge, he actually took concrete steps to actualize it.  

Herein lies a big lesson for Nigerian leaders and politicians who have formed the habit of reneging on their promises. Nigerian politicians take the electorate to mountain tops where they show them El Dorado which is often denied the people once politicians get what they want. Strategically relevant to this is the current shutdown of the nation's universities occasioned by the Federal Government's refusal to honour agreements reached with university teachers since 2009.   This failure on the part of the Federal Government has resulted in unbearable pain for both students and their parents. It has also been a major cause of juvenile delinquency since the leaders have failed to lead by example.

  The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) sends a wakeup call to the Federal Government. Everything else will fall into place if leaders lead by example. Something urgent must be done to take care of Nigeria's army of unemployed youths. We suggest a social security system that ensures that every jobless Nigerian receives a token amount capable of feeding him. In the alternative, feeding centers should be established in all local governments where unemployed people can eat at least twice daily. This will boost Nigeria's efforts to check the menace of insecurity.  

The youth are angry because they are hungry. These youths now vent their spleen on fellow Nigerians through kidnapping, armed robbery and bokoharamism. Government must act now to reduce hunger in the land. The Nigerian police and army are already overwhelmed by the growing number of criminals in the country. Government should complement their efforts by tackling hunger. The clarion call of Shaykh Abdullahi bin Fudi to leaders in his Diya ulHukkam is very pertinent here: that  the greatest blameworthy act a leader can commit is to eclipse himself from his followers.  

  We remind fellow Muslims and politicians to live in accordance with God's wishes. This is a day that reminds that we need to be upright, moral and honest. Muslims are meant to live a higher level of obedience to the creator, so too the community. They should also understand that our purpose in life here is to live in obedience to the Creator's will.   MURIC calls on Muslims all over the country to use the Id al-kabir period to pray for the return of peace in the country. The prayer points should also include Allah's guidance for Nigeria's leaders and an end to disasters like aeroplane crashes, flood and the collapse of buidings.  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
08182119714