9th
February, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
TARABA GOV ISHAKU IS A MUSLIM-HATER – MURIC
Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has been accused of being a
Muslim-hater. The allegation was made by an Islamic human rights organisation,
the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) which claimed it has evidence that the
governor has been sacking Muslim workers without following due process and
replacing them with his Christian brethren.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the group on Wednesday, 9th
February, 2022. The statement was signed by the group’s director, Professor
Ishaq Akintola.
It reads :
“Contrary to the false public image of a
Christian state governor who promotes peaceful and harmonious coexistence
between Christians and Muslims under him, we have incontrovertible evidence
that Governor Darius Ishaku has been using his office to put Muslims at a
disadvantage through several administrative manoeuvres and misadventures.
“The governor recently claimed that the Taraba Muslim Council which
accused him of marginalising Muslims in the state was inciting religious
tension but that is far from the truth. The governor is simply trying to cover
his tracks. But the wind has blown and we have seen the ruff of the hen.
“The truth is that Ishaku’s reckless violation of Allah-given
fundamental rights of Muslims in his state is legend. Although our office has
been inundated with complaints of discrimination against Muslims, we will cite
just one example today for economy of space.
“The case of Mallam Nasiru Audu Baba is
most striking. He was unceremoniously and illegally removed as the Managing
Director and Chief Executive Officer of Taraba MicroFinance Bank Limited in
2012. But the governor suspended him from office in 2016 without any reason and
without a board resolution. The Central Bank rejected the suspension on ground
of lack of due process.
“But Governor Ishaku ignored the Central Bank’s advice and went ahead to
set up a kangaroo committee which, however, neither indicted Mallam Nasiru nor
the board of the bank. Nevertheless, the governor illegally terminated Mallam
Nasiru’s appointment. The termination of his appointment was retroactive as it
was issued on 13th February 2018 but with effect from 30th
September, 2016. Expectedly, a Christian woman was appointed in his place.
“Though a federal high court gave judgement in favour of Mallam Nasiru
and the board of the bank. Instead of obeying the court order, Taraba State
Government went to the appellate court which ruled that the matter should be
taken to the industrial court.
“Mallam Nasiru and the board headed to
the Supreme Court which is yet to determine the case. This and many other
atrocities were committed against Taraba Muslims by Governor Ishaku. Although the
board of the MicroFinance Bank renewed his appointment for another five years,
his suspension and subsequent backdated dismissal was a manifestation of
tyranny while the appointment of a Christian in his place exposed the governor’s
tortuous policy of religious discrimination and favouritism.
“Governor Ishaku thinks nothing can be done to him by the Muslims since
he is rounding up his second term but he has miscalculated. Many past governors
are in senate today because of their good performance while in office. Some of
them are also aspiring to become ministers or the president of Nigeria.
MURIC’s advice to governors who are
Muslim-haters like Ishaku, Ortom, Wike and Seyi Makinde is that they should not
attempt to occupy any federal office. We have blacklisted Muslim-haters and Nigerian
Muslims will ensure that they never get there.”
Professor Ishaq
Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC)
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