NHRC MUST INVITE ENUGU PDP CHAIRMAN FOR THREATENING APGA CANDIDATE – MURIC

 

27^th March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

NHRC MUST INVITE ENUGU PDP CHAIRMAN FOR THREATENING APGA CANDIDATE – MURIC    

 

A faith-based human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called the attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to threats made by town criers loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu who warned voters to stay at home if they were not voting PDP.

 

 

MURIC argued that the threat is similar to that made by MC Oluomo in Lagos for which NHRC invited him. The Islamic human rights body therefore asked NHRC to invite the chairman of the PDP in Enugu for threatening other candidates.

 

 

This was revealed in a statement issued on Monday, 27^th March, 2023 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

The statement reads:

 

“The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the gubernatorial election held in Enugu State on Saturday 18^th March, 2023, Chief Frank Nweke Jr has rejected the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Peter Mbah, as the winner and governor-elect.

 

 

“Nweke complained of the use of ‘violence, thuggery, intimidation, use of divisive sentiments, and the weaponization of poverty against our people, which the Peoples Democratic Party deployed in the course of the campaign and the elections reflect the desperation of the party to hold on to power against the will of the people’.

 

 

“But most especially, the candidate complained bitterly of the use of town criers by the PDP. He said, ‘Very early in the morning of Saturday, March 18, town criers travelled through several communities in Enugu state ordering anyone who would not vote in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party to stay home’ (https://saharareporters.com/2023/03/24/enugu-gov-poll-apga-candidate-nweke-jr-rejects-outcome-says-town-criers-threatened).

 

“If what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, the chairman of the PDP in Enugu State must be invited by the NHRC the same way the latter invited MC Oluomo in Lagos for telling voters to stay at home if they would not vote the ruling party in the state. Anything to the contrary is hypocricy.

 

 

“Reports reaching us also indicate that Fred Ajudua of the PDP allegedly threatened voters in Delta State to stay at home if they were not voting PDP. He reportedly told voters in Ibuzo, Delta State, ‘If you are not voting PDP, stay in your house’ (https://newsdiaryonline.com/nigeria-beyond-the-elections/;https://www.thecable.ng/nigeria-beyond-the-elections).

 

 

“We recall our statement of 21^st March, 2023 entitled ‘Allow Police To Do Its Job: MURIC Tells NHRC’ in which we advised NHRC to leave Oluomo of Lagos alone since the police had already invited him. But the chicken now appears to have come home to roost with the proliferation of stay-at-home warnings in other parts of the country.

 

 

“For NHRC to manifest objectivity and retain its dignity, it must drop its earlier invitation to Oluomo and allow the police to handle him or invite all elements involved in stay-at-home warnings during the last elections. Only thus can the Commission remain credible.

 

“NHRC’s focus on Lagos is worrisome when similar threats were issued in other parts of the country around the same time.”

 

#NoToSelectiveNHRCInvitation

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC MOURNS RASHEED ADESOKAN

 

25^th March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC MOURNS RASHEED ADESOKAN  

 

The death has been announced of the Baale of Bodija, Alhaji Rasheed Adesokan. The announcement was made by Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, Chairman of the Oyo State Muslim Community. Adesokan died at the University College Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, today, Saturday, 25^th March, 2023.

 

 

Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed deep sadness over the death of the prominent Muslim leader as the group has been thrown into mourning. This was revealed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a statement issued on Saturday, 25^th March, 2023.

 

Akintola said:

 

“The Balogun Mumini of Yorubaland, and Baale of Bodija, Alhaji Rasheed Adesokan, died today, Saturday, 25^th March, 2023. His death occurred at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State. His death was announced by Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, Chairman of the Oyo State Muslim Community.

 

 

 

 

“Rasheed Adesokan was a great philanthropist. He gave with smiles. In particular, he personally took it upon himself to distribute copies of the English-Arabic translated Qur’an to all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. Even MURIC and its sister da’wah organization, the Telly Da’wah, collected several copies of the translated text from Adesokan’s Islamic office at Bodija, Ibadan.

 

 

“MURIC is severely devastated by Baale Adesokan’s death but as believers, we accept Allah’s wish. True to his Islamic title as the Balogun Mumini of Yorubaland, Baale Rasheed Adesokan fought vigorously for the liberation of Yoruba Muslims. His courage knew no bounds.

 

 

“The Executive Director of MURIC is a living witness to Adesokan’s boldness and his readiness to manifest solidarity with troubled Muslim activists. Baale Rasheed Adesokan insisted that the police must arrest him too when they arrested Professor Akintola as he was delivering a lecture.

 

 

“That was around the year 1995 when the Late General Sanni Abacha led the military junta. Akintola was delivering a lecture on military dictatorship inside Mapo Hall, Ibadan, when the venue was stormed by several policemen. They forcefully stopped the lecture, seized the microphone from Akintola’s hand and took him away.

 

 

“Baale Adesokan insisted that he must also be arrested. He followed them to the police station. Akintola was thrown behind the counter but Baale Adesokan refused to leave the station. He continued to make contacts with his cellular telephone until he secured Akintola’s release.

 

 

“He has been a major backbone of MURIC and Telly Da’wah ever since.  Baale Adesokan was one of the few titled Muslim leaders who truly deserved their titles. Rasheed Adesokan was a real Balogun Mumini.

 

“Farewell the Muslim generalissimo. May Almighty Allah make your rest in barzakh a period of peace for you. May He have mercy on you and forgive all your trespasses. May your soul be reposed in Al-Jannah Firdaus. We pray that Allah gives your family the fortitude to bear this huge loss. Aamiin Allahumma Aamiin.

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC TO BAUCHI FIRST LADY: DON’T INTIMIDATE AMIRAH

 

25^th March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO BAUCHI FIRST LADY: DON’T INTIMIDATE AMIRAH

 

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to the First Lady of Bauchi State, Dr. Aisha Bala Muhammed to stop her alleged plan to intimidate the leaders of Muslim women organisations who visited the wife of the gubernatorial candidate of the opposition in the state.       

 

This was disclosed by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a press statement issued by him on Saturday, 25^th March, 2023.

 

He said:

 

The First Lady of Bauchi State, Dr. Aisha Bala Muhammed is allegedly planning to intimidate leaders of Muslim women organisations who visited the wife of the gubernatorial candidate of the opposition in the state, Hajiya Sadiya, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.

 

 

“Hajiya Sadiya is the wife of Air Marshal Sidique, an opposition gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections who contested against Bauchi State governor, Bala Muhammed.

 

 

“The women allegedly facing possible political backlash include the Amirah of the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), the Amirah of Initiatives For Muslim Women of Nigeria (IMWON) and the Amirah of Nisau Sunnah (Women of the Tradition).

 

 

“Already, the First Lady has reportedly demanded for the file of the Amirah of Nisau Sunna from the latter’s office at the College of Education, Kangere. Other punitive measures may be in the offing for the remaining two Amirahs.

                                                                         

 

“MURIC frowns at any attempt to punish Muslim women activists for actions taken in the service of Islam. It amounts to witch-hunting, victimization, persecution and coercion. The alleged demand for the file of the Amirah of Nisau Sunnah is politically motivated.

 

 

“We will resist such injustice with every legitimate means at our disposal. We are therefore requesting the chairman, members of the executive committee and all members of MURIC in Bauchi State to be on standby awaiting instructions from headquarters.

 

 

“We advise all members of FOMWAN, IMWON and Nisau Sunnah to be on the tip-toes of alertness and to keep all channels of communication with us open. No female Muslim activist in Bauchi or anywhere in Nigeria will suffer intimidation in vain. We therefore advise the First Lady of Bauchi State to bury the thought if indeed it is true. She should not trigger a chain of reactions of unimaginable consequences.”

 

#LeaveTheAmirahAlone

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

ALLOW POLICE TO DO ITS JOB: MURIC TELLS NHRC

 

21^st March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

ALLOW POLICE TO DO ITS JOB: MURIC TELLS NHRC

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to allow law enforcement agents to complete their investigations into election incidents in Lagos State and other parts of the country.       

 

 

The Islamic human rights group gave the advice in a statement issued on Tuesday 21^st March, 2023 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

 

It will be recalled that the NHRC on Sunday said it would invite the Chairman of the Lagos State Parks Management Committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo over the alleged threat he issued against the Igbo.

 

MURIC’s full statement reads :

 

“The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Sunday that it would invite the Chairman of the Lagos State Parks Management Committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo over the alleged threat he issued against the Igbo (https://tribuneonlineng.com/election-nhrc-to-invite-mc-oluomo-kogi-gov-over-alleged-hate-speeches/).

 

 

“NHRC should not dissipate its energy on this matter at all. In the first place, it will amount to duplication of efforts because the Nigeria Police is already investigating it (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/03/18/police-investigating-mc-oluomos-alleged-threat-against-igbos-says-commissioner/). NHRC will end up wasting resources if it opens another investigation into the same matter. Nigerian agencies should learn how to synergise on matters like this. They are confusing the populace. NHRC should spare us the headache.

 

 

“Secondly, the police appears more suitable for this kind of investigation. Afterall it is a threat to use force. Oluomo himself has denied it. He said it was not targeted at the Igbo in Lagos but an ordinary joke cracked with Mama Chukwudi, his friendly Igbo neighbour. Therefore it is only a law enforcement agency that has the training as well as the human and material capacity to handle such a matter.

 

 

“Thirdly, it is an ill-conceived idea that it is a human rights issue. It is certainly not. Lagos indigenes and the rest of the Yoruba people view it as an existential threat. They see it as a struggle for survival. In our opinion, any human rights consideration which fails to recognise the rights of the aborigines of a particular place is a total failure, a sham and a mirage.

 

 

“In the fourth place, NHRC should not allow itself to be seen as collaborating with those who are perceived by Lagos indigenes in particular and the Yoruba in general as people on a mission to invade and conquer Lagos. It is a very sensitive issue about which the indigenes feel very strongly and very bitter.

 

 

“The fifth reason for which NHRC needs to soft-pedal on this is that the issue calls more for diplomacy than it does for enforcement of rights. If NHRC insists on inviting Oluomo, it must invite those who said Lagos is no man’s land. Not only that, NHRC must invite those who claim in tweets and other social media sources that their target is to invade and conquer Lagos and the rest of Yorubaland before and during the 2023 general elections. Oluomo is just a party, NHRC cannot afford to be selective.

 

 

“The sixth reason lies in the fact that NHRC appears to be in a hurry on the Lagos issue. Such speed and manifestation of anxiety is capable of being interpreted as vested interest in the matter because it affects the Igbo.

 

 

“To cap the edifice, if the truth must be told, Chief Anthony Okechuckwu Ojukwu as the Executive Secretary of the Commission is not in the best position to mediate in a matter of serious ethnic concern between the Igbo, the Yoruba in general and Lagos indigenes in particular. Silence from NHRC would not only have been golden in such an issue but also the only wise thing to do. We therefore advise NHRC to allow the police to do its job.”

 

#LagosDeservesPeace

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC APPRECIATES GOV MAKINDE FOR REMOVING HIS NAME FROM REBUILT MOSQUE

 

13^th March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC APPRECIATES GOV MAKINDE FOR REMOVING HIS NAME FROM REBUILT ADOGBA CENTRAL MOSQUE

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed satisfaction and appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for removing his name from the signboard of Adogba Central Mosque, Iwo Road, Ibadan.

 

 

The governor allegedly gave orders for the removal yesterday, Sunday 12^th March, 2023 after an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) criticized the governor for naming the mosque after himself. MURIC’s criticism came on Saturday, 11^th March, 2023. The group asked the governor to remove his name from the signboard.

 

 

MURIC’s statement showing appreciation to Governor Makinde was issued on Monday, 13^th March, 2023 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

 

He said :

 

“Reports reaching MURIC’s Lagos headquarters say Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has removed his name from the signboard of Adogba Central Mosque, Iwo Road, Ibadan. The governor gave orders for the removal yesterday, Sunday 12^th March, 2023 after MURIC criticized the governor for inscribing his name on the rebuilt mosque (https://theeagleonline.com.ng/muric-to-makinde-remove-your-name-from-our-mosque/?amp=1).

 

 

“It will be recalled that Adogba Central Mosque was demolished by the Makinde administration in 2020 despite our protestations. The governor promised to rebuild it and it was recently rebuilt. But the governor renamed the mosque after himself and MURIC asked him to remove his name.

 

 

“We advised him to delete his name and leave the mosque’s original name there before the fast approaching gubernatorial election of Saturday, 18^th March, 2023 in order to avoid protest vote from Muslims in the state. The state branch of MURIC has confirmed that the governor’s name has been removed from the inscription on the mosque which now reads ‘Adogba Central Mosque’. This was done yesterday, Sunday, 11^th March, 2023.  

 

 

“According to a newspaper report, the removal of the name was carried out by some workers led by the governor's media aide, Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM (https://twitter.com/muslimnews_NG/status/1634993223327436801?t=l7Zb2pYAdKZSEjSDEy5IHA&s=19).

 

 

“We appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde for complying with MURIC’s advice. MURIC may be radical but it is rational. We affirm that we are not confrontational or militant. Neither are we unnecessarily difficult to relate with once the relationship is based on mutual respect and once no attempt is made to trample on Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslims. We believe that the adherents of different religions can peacefully coexist in this country and work together towards making Nigeria great.

 

 

“May Allah continue to protect and bless Governor Seyi Makinde. We are satisfied with the removal of his name from the mosque. No more bitter feelings, no more distrust. MURIC will continue to pursue cordial relations with both government and private institutions in Nigeria as long as they continue to give Muslims their rights and dues and as long as they allow their actions to be guided by the principles of equity, fairness and justice.”

 

#KudosMakinde

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

 

REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM OUR MOSQUE: MURIC TELLS MAKINDE

 

11^th March, 2023

PRESS RELEASE:

REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM OUR MOSQUE:

MURIC TELLS MAKINDE

 

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has renamed the Adogba Central Mosque, Iwo Road, Ibadan, after himself. The mosque was demolished by his administration in 2020. It was recently rebuilt. However, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has told the governor to remove his name from the mosque and return its original name.

 

 

In a statement issued on Saturday, 11^th March, 2023 and signed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the organisation maintained that Makinde has no moral right to name the mosque after himself because it was a replacement of the original mosque which was demolished by him. MURIC advised the governor to effect the change before the gubernatorial election on Saturday to avoid protest vote.

 

MURIC’s statement reads :

 

“Our attention has been drawn to the name of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State which has been conspicuously printed on the newly rebuilt Adogba Central Mosque, Iwo Road, Ibadan. It had better not be. It is an insult on the corporate dignity of the Muslim community of Oyo State in particular and the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.

 

 

“We demand that Makinde removes his name from that mosque. It does not belong to him. It is an attempt to rewrite history. Adogba Central Mosque was built for the Organisation of Tadomunul Muslimeen by the Saudi-based Haramain Islamic Organisation.

 

 

“The mosque was pulled down by the Makinde administration despite protests by the Muslim community. The demolition was one of the governor’s anti-Muslim actions. Within six months of his resumption of office in 2019, Makinde became known in Muslim circles as a serial mosque destroyer.  

 

 

“He threatened to pull down Olore Mosque, turned Bodija Muslim praying ground to a recreation centre and bulldozed Adogba Central Mosque. To date, we are not aware of a single church that Makinde demolished. MURIC warned in November 2019 that Makinde should leave Muslim mosques alone but he went ahead with the demolition and promised to rebuild it.

 

 

“The governor has rebuilt the mosque in another location but he renamed it after himself. We are shocked to our marrows. What audacity! It is desecration of our place of worship. We cannot worship Makinde. We will worship Allah alone. It would have been right if he had not destroyed our mosque ab initio. But now we can still ask him ‘Where is our mosque?’ It is highly immoral. His action also lacks tact.

 

 

“Makinde can only be justified to name the mosque after himself if the money spent on its construction belonged to him personally. He needs to prove that to us but he has not. He used our common patrimony. That money belongs to the tax payers of Oyo State. It is not Makinde’s money. Therefore he has no moral right to name the mosque after himself. It is daylight robbery. It is abracadabra: the more you look, the less you see. Makinde has robbed Peter to pay Paul.

 

 

“Apart from the immoral angle, the governor has exhibited ulterior motive. Even the timing of the completion of the mosque was calculated to coincide with the 2023 electioneering period. Seyi Makinde has played on the intelligence of the Oyo State Muslim community. It is outrageous.

 

 

“Unfortunately the governor does not know that the Muslims are not pleased with his action. The best advice we can give him at this point is to remove his name from the mosque and replace it with the original name of the mosque which he destroyed, viz, Adogba Central Mosque.

 

 

“MURIC is known for dialogue and non-violence. Our motto is ‘Dialogue, No Violence’. Neither do we issue threats or give ultimatum. But the best time for the governor to effect the change of nomenclature is before the gubernatorial election coming up next week, Saturday, 18^th March, 2023 in order to avoid protest votes on that day.

 

 

 

“We say capital ‘NO’ to ‘Makinde Central Mosque’. It is a rogue nomenclature. Our mosque is ‘Adogba Central Mosque.’ Engr Seyi Makinde has no mosque.”

 

#NoToMakindeCentralMosque    #AdogbaCentralMosque   #ReturnOurMosque

 

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)