MURIC SEEKS RELIEF FOR TURKIYE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

 

12^th February, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC SEEKS RELIEF FOR TURKIYE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

 

A civil liberty group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FG), humanitarian groups and wealthy individuals to send relief materials to Turkiye and Syria where an earthquake has claimed more than twenty-eight thousand lives.       

 

 

Speaking on behalf of the organisation on Sunday 12^th February, 2023, the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, urged FG and the international community, particularly the United Nations (UN), to mobilise relief materials for the two countries.

 

The full statement reads :

 

“The Southern part of Turkiye and Northern Syria were struck by a huge earthquake five days ago. The casualty at present is more than 28,000 dead and still counting while thousands were injured. The toll is expected to rise.

 

 

“MURIC is severely pained by this natural disaster. We are devastated. We stand by the people of Turkiye in this hour of need. We are enveloped by the atmosphere of grief that is presently all over Turkiye and Syria.

 

 

“In particular, we share the agony of our very kind friends from Turkiye who reside in Nigeria, running schools, hospitals and building boreholes all over Nigeria. MURIC is deeply worried about the fate of their families back home in Turkiye at this crucial period. It is ironical that a foreign humanitarian group that is offering health and educational services to Nigerians has suffered such a gargantuan calamity. It hurts us to the marrows.

 

 

“Yet as Muslims we must accept the earthquake as the will of Allah. It has happened and we must stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims. We are duty bound to mobilise empathy and kind words capable of generating succour for the victims.

 

“We therefore appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FG), humanitarian groups and wealthy individuals within the country to send relief materials to Turkiye and Syria with military dispatch. Let us think humanity first.

 

 

“MURIC condoles with the Ambassador of Turkiye in Nigeria, Mr. Hidayet Bayraktar, the leader and members of the Hizmet Movement as well as NUSRET in Nigeria, the authorities and staff of the Nizamiye Hospital and Nile University, Abuja. In the same vein, we commiserate with the Ambassador of Syria in Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Abo Serriah and the Syrian community.

 

 

“This is our message to members of the Hizmet Movement and NUSRET resident in Nigeria, ‘We appreciate what you have been doing for Nigerians. We are with you at this trying moment. You are not alone. Do not despair. Nigerians are standing by your side. This disaster did not hit you alone. If it affected your buildings and families in faraway Turkiye, it hit our hearts and souls in Nigeria. We are totally devastated.”

 

#SupportTurkiye   #WeStandWithTurkiye   #SupportSyria

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

AVOID ALL KINDS OF PROTESTS AT THIS TIME – MURIC

 

9^th February, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

AVOID ALL KINDS OF PROTESTS AT THIS TIME – MURIC

 

Nigerians have been advised to shun all kinds of protests as we approach the 2023 general elections. Making the call on Thursday was a faith-based civil society organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

In a press statement issued on Thursday 9^th February, 2023, the executive director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, warned Nigerians not to fall into the trap of enemies of democracy who are scheming either to impose an interim government or to ignite a military intervention. The group therefore advised Nigerians to be patient as the general election is just sixteen days away.

The full statement reads:

“The Central Bank of Nigeria recently announced plans to redesign the country’s currency. The citizens were asked to surrender all old notes in their possession particularly the higher N1,000, N500 and N200 denominations.  

 

 

“Unfortunately the ongoing naira swap became a booby trap particularly as it has been accompanied by a protracted fuel scarcity. The timing of the exercise has led us to suspect a grand provocation ploy as Nigerians who surrendered their old naira notes were later denied access to both the old and the new. This ugly development led to widespread hunger and general suffering.

 

 

“The tendency is for the atmosphere to become explosive and already there have been pockets of demonstrations in one or two places particularly in the South West. However, there is a strong suspicion that naira swap and the attendant artificial scarcity are booby traps aimed at goading Nigerians to anger. They expect the youth to troop to the streets.

 

 

“We must not fall for it. This is the grand plan of some selfish political shenanigans and capitalist comprador bourgeoisie whose ambition is to hold the jamaaheer (masses) in their vice grip till kingdom come. Greedy bank officials have leveraged on the situation by hoarding the new naira notes and turning it into an opportunity for self-aggrandisement. It is the height of sadism.

 

 

“The aim of these wicked political charlatans is to manipulate the crisis once demonstrations begin. They plan to hijack the demonstrations, turn it into a viciously violent exercise and attack certain public figures as well as public properties. It is at this point that they plan to announce an indefinite postponement of the general elections and introduce an interim government. A military coup may also be on the table if the plan for an interim government fails to work.

 

 

“We therefore appeal to Nigerians to eschew public protest in all its ramifications. Election is just sixteen days away. If we are patient, we will be able to peacefully elect leaders of our choice. On the other hand, we may play into the hands of agents provocateur and end up with an interim government or a military coup d’etat. But election is just a stone’s throw away. Therefore, let us be peaceful and endure till 25^th February.

 

 

“On a last note, we advise the army to keep off. Involvement in politics is antithetical to professionalism in the military. Nigeria has more than enough security challenges to keep the army busy and any attempt to delve into politics will be like chewing more than the military can swallow. It will only compound the country’s problems.

 

 

“Besides, military rule is no longer fashionable. It will only delay Nigeria’s progress, attract sanctions from the West and cause an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. The worst civilian government is always better than the best military government because the latter lacks accountability and credibility. Nigerians will not stomach governance through the barrel of the gun.”

 

#AvoidDemonstrations #SayNoToViolence #NoToInterimGovernment #NoToMilitaryRule

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC TO IG ALKALI : GIVE DPOS TIME TO RELAX

 

 

7^th February, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO IG ALKALI : GIVE DPOS TIME TO RELAX

 

A civil liberty group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, to give divisional police officers (DPOs) enough time for relaxation. MURIC said the appeal became necessary in view of recent deaths of DPOs while in their offices.       

 

 

MURIC’s appeal was made on Tuesday, 7^th February, 2023 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said :

“The deaths in office of some divisional police officers in recent time has become worrying. We know that death is a necessary end and human life is in the hands of Allah but the recent back-to-back demise of divisional police officers (DPOs) in the country calls for caution.

 

“Two or three examples may suffice. Superintendent of Police Nnamdi Omoni, the DPO of Elimgbu Police Division in Obio/Akpor, Rivers State, suddenly collapsed and passed away on Tuesday, 30^th August, 2022 (https://tribuneonlineng.com/rivers-police-announce-death-of-ex-spokesman-omoni/).

 

“Chief Superintendent of Police Salami Mojeed, the DPO of Seme Border, slumped and died in his office on Tuesday 10^th January, 2023 (https://dailypost.ng/2023/01/15/dpo-slumps-dies-inside-his-office-in-lagos/).

 

“Another DPO, Superintendent of Police Abubakar Musa of Jahun Local Government, Jigawa State also gave up the ghost inside his office on Friday 27^th January, 2023 (https://saharareporters.com/2023/01/28/another-nigerian-police-divisional-head-dpo-slumps-dies-office).

 

“It is our considered opinion that the deaths of these DPO are stress-related. We also strongly believe that it is not unconnected with the state of insecurity in the country. Though unverified, there is a report that a former Inspector General of Police (IGP) once ordered DPOs to be sleeping inside their offices. That was at a period when armed robbery became an alarming trend.

 

“MURIC appeals to the current IGP, Usman Baba Alkali, to evolve means of allowing DPOs to relax. The location of police officers’ messes around the country similar to what obtains in the army may be a way out. This is a place where DPOs can meet, relax and exchange ideas. It helps to reduce stress.

 

 

“Shifts should become more regular and longer to allow proper rest of sensitive but overworked parts of the human anatomy. Such long shifts will allow officers to visit their families. The human mind relaxes more easily when in the company of loved ones, particularly marital partners and offsprings.”

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

PROBE ALLEGED SMUGGLING OF N50 BILLION NEW NOTES FROM CBN BY DINO MELAYE, OTHERS – MURIC

 

5^th February, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

PROBE ALLEGED SMUGGLING OF N50 BILLION NEW NOTES FROM CBN BY DINO MELAYE, OTHERS – MURIC      

 

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has asked the Federal Government (FG) to investigate the report that Dino Melaye and some others smuggled out the sum of N50 billion new notes from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) about two days ago.

 

This was contained in a press statement issued on Sunday 5^th February, 2023 by the head of the human rights organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said :

“Some media sources published reports of alleged smuggling of N50 billion out of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by Dino Melaye and his co-travellers two days ago. This is a grave allegation when contextualised within the current fiscal crisis being faced by Nigeria.

 

“MURIC frowns at this behaviour which has been associated with Senator Dino Melaye, a prominent politician. It is mean, self-serving, unpatriotic and disgraceful. Politicians who participate in such an operation should bury their heads in shame. They are insensitive to the suffering of the jamaaheer (masses).  

 

“Nigerians are hungry. People all over the country cannot find cash to buy food. Parents have no old or new naira to give their children and wards to use as transport to school. Workers are keeping away from work due to the nonavailability of cash. Many travellers are stranded. Businesses are at a standstill. Nigeria as a corporate entity holds its breath and trembles.

 

“We call on the Federal Government (FG) to immediately set the machinery in motion to unveil the veracity of the report. In the same vein, we call on the security agencies to spare no efforts in meting out appropriate punishment to bank officials found to have sabotaged the ongoing naira swap.

 

“The intention was good but the implementation is haphazard. Apart from the fact that the CBN governor has not been transparent and sincere enough, the timing is wrong. Nobody changes currency in an election year. This naira swap is laced with red herrings.

 

“We therefore appeal to FG to expedite action on finding solutions to the plethora of problems associated with the distribution of the new naira notes in order to mitigate the suffering of the hoi polloi.

 

“By the same token, we appeal to Nigerians to temper action with common sense because it is also the poor and innocent citizens who will suffer most if violence breaks out. Demonstrations should be avoided at this time because that is what hoodlums are waiting for. They will hijack the process and start looting shops and properties of poor Nigerians.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

 

MURIC TO ADEBANJO: IS THE PRESIDENCY THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF SOUTHERN CHRISTIANS?

 

4^th February, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO ADEBANJO: IS THE PRESIDENCY THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF SOUTHERN CHRISTIANS?   

 

The leader of Afenifere, a Yoru
ba socio-cultural group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has said that a Southern Christian may never rule Nigeria again if Peter Obi loses the 2023 presidential election.

 

 

Reacting to this statement, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), observed that Southern Christians have been president and vice president seven times before whereas no Southern Muslim has ever attained that position. MURIC challenged Adebanjo to mention a Yoruba or any Muslim from the South who has been president or vice president of Nigeria.

 

 

This was disclosed on Saturday 4^th February, 2023 in a statement issued by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads :

 

“Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, on Thursday 2^nd February, 2023, said that a Southern Christian may never rule Nigeria again if Obi loses the 2023 presidential election (https://platinumpost.ng/2023/02/03/2023-if-obi-loses-christian-southerner-may-never-be-president-again-adebanjo/; https://ukdaily.news/a-christian-from-the-south-may-never-again-become-president-of-nigeria-if-obi-loses-pa-adebanjo-328591.html; https://www.thecable.ng/ayo-adebanjo-if-obi-loses-a-christian-southerner-may-never-be-president-again)

 

“It is clear from Chief Adebanjo’s statement that what he has been clamouring for all along is to enthrone another southern Christian as president. He finds it outrageous for a Southern Muslim, particularly of Yoruba stock, to lead Nigeria.

 

“Is it not paradoxical that the leader of Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-cultural group, will jettison his avowed ethnicity to clamour for another? It has never happened in the history of the Yoruba that a cultural leader (not a political leader) will don the garb of another tribe.

 

“The cat has been let out of the bag. Everybody can now see why Adebanjo has been opposing Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim and a Yoruba, as a presidential candidate. It is not because Adebanjo does not know that Tinubu is a Yoruba. Nay and more than that. It is because he knows that Tinubu is a Muslim.

 

“The wind has blown. We have seen the ruff of the hen. Adebanjo now says it is because he wants a Christian from the South to become president and if Peter Obi fails in his bid, no Christian from the South may be president again. But Adebanjo is fully aware (and Nigerians also know) that Christians from the South have been president and vice president over and over again whereas no single Southern Muslim has ever been president or vice president. The question Adebanjo must answer is this: Is Southern presidency the exclusive right of Southern Christians?

 

“Brigadier Babafemi Olatunde Ogundipe was the de facto second in command to General Aguiyi Ironsi (1966), Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey was the deputy of general Yakubu Gowon (1966 – 1975), Mathew Obasanjo has led Nigeria twice (1975 – 1979 & 1999 – 2007). Earnest Shonekan was interim head of state (26^th August to 17^th November 1993).

 

“General Donaldson Oladipo Diya was vice under Abacha (November 1993 to December 1997). Goodluck Jonathan has been president (2010 – 2015). Pastor Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo is still the vice president as we speak (2015 to date).

 

“Above are the names of seven Southern Christians who have ruled Nigeria. By their names, you shall know their creed. We challenge Chief Adebanjo to name just one Southern Muslim that has been president or vice president of Nigeria since independence in 1960. If he cannot find any, what justification has he to insist that another Christian from the South must be president again come 2023.

 

“Furthermore, we challenge Chief Adebanjo to name one prominent Muslim leader among the leaders of Afenifere. This is one of the reasons we still suspect Chief Adebanjo of hiding under the cloak of Afenifere to carry out an anti-Muslim cleansing operation in the South West.

 

“Chief Adebanjo is yet to respond to a question raised by MURIC two years ago about the fate of Yoruba Muslims if the Yoruba separatist nation which he has been agitating for becomes a reality. He does not reckon with Yoruba Muslims as deserving the dividends of democracy or eligible for fundamental human rights.

 

“Adebanjo’s insistence on another Southern Christian at this time is therefore most unfair to Muslims in Southern Nigeria. His comment is deceitful and unjustifiable.  

 

“Nonetheless, we reiterate the fact that our preference for Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not necessarily based on his creed. We have picked Tinubu because of his competence, his unequalled political experience and uncommon pedigree. Pre-Tinubu Lagos was a centre of confusion. Tinubu touched Lagos and it became the indubitable centre of excellence. Nigeria needs Tinubu’s midas mien.”

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

RAPE OF MUSLIM WOMAN: MURIC DEMANDS JUSTICE

 

Wednesday 1^st February, 2023

PRESS STATEMENT:

RAPE OF MUSLIM WOMAN: MURIC DEMANDS JUSTICE

 

Oyo State branch of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has waded into the case of rape inside the mosque in Ibadan where a Muslim woman was raped inside a mosque by one Idris, a.k.a. Kesari Rekereke.  

In a press statement released on Wednesday, 1^st February, 2023 by Ustadh Ibrahim Agunbiade, the ambassador of MURIC in Oyo State, the group warned that the case must not be swept under the carpet.

MURIC confirmed that the suspect is one Idris, a.k.a. Kesari Rekereke. The group further noted that Kesari Rekereke is the son of a transport union leader known as Almajiri of the Oyo State National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).  

 

The Islamic human rights organization called for the prosecution of Idris and warned that the case must not be swept under the carpet. Although MURIC commended the police for arresting the culprit, it maintained that justice must not only be done in this case, it must be seen to have been done.

 

The group also appealed to Muslims in the state to refrain from attempting any reprisal attack.

 

E-signed:

Ustadh Ibrahim Agunbiade 

Ambassador,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),

Oyo State Chapter.