SANWO-OLU MUST EXPLAIN ‘ALL-CHRISTIAN’ PERMANENT SECRETARIES – MURIC

 

25^th September, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

SANWO-OLU MUST EXPLAIN ‘ALL-CHRISTIAN’ PERMANENT SECRETARIES – MURIC  

A faith-based rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has demanded explanation from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State after the latter appointed an ‘all-Christian’ set of permanent secretaries. The group accused the governor of religious intolerance, administrative exclusivity and disregard for constitutional provisions.

MURIC’s interrogation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, 25^th September, 2025 by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, appointed a new set of nine permanent secretaries (also called tutor generals) on Tuesday, 23^rd September,  2025. The appointments were announced in a circular released by the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro.

“The list has ignited widespread discontent among Muslims in the state and beyond for lacking religious balance. In particular, there are allegations that even the few Muslim names on the list belong to those who have left the Islamic faith.

“This is where the governor needs to sit down with leaders of the Muslim community of Lagos State for clarification. Afterall, government is expected to carry the citizens along. But if Governor Sanwo-Olu fails to do that, Lagos Muslims must seek an alternative political ally.

“The new appointment is a reflection of religious intolerance, administrative exclusivity and disregard for constitutional provisions. Sanwo-Olu continues to breach the Constitution, the grund num, particularly with his political appointments. He marginalizes Muslims at will. Recall that he appointed only 14 Muslims as commissioners while Christians had 43 (https://thesourceng.com/again-muric-rejects-sanwo-olus-new-commissioner-nominees-alleges-poor-muslim-representation/).

“Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates that ‘The composition of the Government of the Federation, a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the people of the Federation’

“Has Sanwo-Olu’s latest appointments complied with the above provision? Does the appointment of six Christian tutor generals into all the six education districts ‘recognise the diversity of the people’ of Lagos State? Are Muslims not major stakeholders in the affairs of Lagos State or are we just ordinary dots in Lagos social statistics?

“Governor Sanwo-Olu has always failed the inclusivity test. He failed it big time this time around. He has a duty to explain his latest ‘all-Christian’ permanent secretaries.

“The actions of rulers are subject to interrogation by the citizens. That is what makes democracy tick. That is accountability. This does not look like good governance at all. If Sanwo-Olu plays the impunity card on this, Lagos Muslims must look elsewhere for political relevance.”

#GovernorSanwoOlu

#NinePermanentSecretaries

#Accountability

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

STOP FORCING IFE MUSLIMS TO PAY ISESE LEVIES – MURIC

 

22^nd September, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

STOP FORCING IFE MUSLIMS TO PAY ISESE LEVIES – MURIC  

An appeal has gone to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to stop his palace agents from forcing Muslims in Ile Ife markets to pay levies illegally imposed for the celebration of Olojo, a traditional festival. Making the appeal on Monday, 22^nd September, 2025 was the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola.

He said:

“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has received a report of economic extortion, religious persecution, harassment, intimidation and coercion spanning more than five years forwarded by a trade union under the aegis of Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN), Ile-Ife branch, Osun State.

“APTAN has alleged that agents of the palace of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, invaded their stalls at Oja Tuntun Otisese Weekly Market on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 to forcefully demand levies imposed for the celebration of Olojo, a traditional festival celebrated annually in Ile-Ife.

“During the invasion, precious goods were seized in the shops of Muslim traders who refused to pay illegal Olojo levies. For example, a monique with cloth was seized in Mrs. Aisha Ogundare’s shop, Mrs. Balikis Elureni lost 2.5 liters of vegetable oil while another 5 liters of vegetable oil was ‘commandeered’  in the shop of Mrs. Akande Moridiyah.  Several other traders also suffered painful losses in the hands of the invaders who allegedly came from the palace.

“APTAN’s statement was signed by its Ife branch Coordinator, Comrade Adegoke Saidi, Comrade Monsur Jimoh and Comrade Banjo Isiaq, Secretary and Welfare Officer respectively.

“MURIC strongly condemns this invasion and the seizures. Apart from being illegal and unlawful, it is daylight robbery. It is also a deliberate attempt to impoverish poor Muslim traders who are struggling to survive in these hard times. It is wicked, inhuman and insensitive.

 

“Neville Chamberlain, former British Prime Minister from May 1937 to May 1940, once identified five evils: brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution. These are signs of evil that have all manifested here against innocent Muslim petty traders.  

 

“This phenomenon has exposed the intolerance of Isese practioners as they target poor Muslim petty traders for economic extortion, religious persecution, harassment, intimidation and coercion. In saner climes, only the adherents of a particular religion should pay levies imposed by the religious leaders. But in Ile Ife, innocent Muslim traders are being forcefully taxed for a traditional festival.

 

“Now, to forcefully collect levies for a traditional festival from Muslims and to go as far as seizing goods in the shops of Muslims for refusing to pay constitutes an encroachment on Allah-given fundamental human rights of such Muslims.

 

“This invasion vehemently articulates what awaits Muslims in a Yoruba Republic where Isese is most likely to be treated like a state religion while other faiths are relegated to the background. Isese priests will call the shots while adherents of other religions will be treated like slaves. The handwriting is on the wall.

 

“These are not mere conjectures. Muslims were forcefully initiated into Awo Opa Cult in Ikorodu in 2022 and heaven did not fall (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/01/forceful-initiation-of-muslims-into-awo-opa-cult-in-lagos-are-traditionalists-above-the-law-opinion/).

 

“It is an open secret that traditionalists in the South West impose curfew on whole cities at their whims and caprices and nobody has ever stopped them. We have more than enough evidence to show how they attack Imams and Muslim worshippers inside mosques in different Yoruba towns at will.

 

“MURIC appeals to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II to call his palace agents to order. Although they are most likely acting on their own, the demonstration of incontestable royal will to assert authority, discipline, law and order by his Imperial Majesty will return confidence among Muslim petty traders.

 

“We demand justice for the oppressed Muslim petty traders. The suspects have been identified as Mr. Efunwole Kola, Mr. Sogo Olagbaju and Mr. Hezekiah Agunbiade. These extortionists must be made to return the seized goods. Ooni could not have sent them. Kabiyesi is a man of peace and justice. The parasites must be brought to book to clear Ooni’s good name.”

#IleIfeMarketExtortion

#JusticeForMuslimTraders

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

FLOOD: ERECT CAMPING SITES IN HIGH RISE AREAS – MURIC

 

20^th September, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

FLOOD: ERECT CAMPING SITES IN HIGH RISE AREAS – MURIC  

As floods devastate Nigerian communities, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has charged state and local governments to erect camping sites in high rise areas in readiness for people who are forced to evacuate. The group argued that it is not enough to warn citizens that flood is approaching, good governance demands that government should prepare camping sites for the people.

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, 20^th September, 2025 by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The full statement reads:

“Although Allah has been kind to Nigeria regarding natural disasters such that the country does not experience tragedies the way other countries are exposed to them, floods in the raining season are becoming a serious concern as they cause high death tolls and severe damages.

“151 people were killed in the flood which devastated the city of Mokwa, Niger State in May 2025. Apart from the high death toll, 265 houses were destroyed while 3,018 people were rendered homeless in the global warmth induced disaster (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/31/nigeria-floods-death-toll-crosses-150-as-thousands-displaced). Sadly, the death toll reportedly rose to 700 on 2^nd June, 2025 (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c071jz90pj8o).

“Earlier between September and October 2022, more than 600 people died after torrential rains caused the most devastating incident of seasonal floods around the country in decades. More than 1.3 million people were displaced (https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/10/nigeria-flood-rain-climate/).

“It is on record that both the federal and state governments are known to frequently issue warnings to citizens asking them to evacuate for fear of flood (https://punchng.com/fg-predicts-fresh-flooding-in-lagos-13-others/; https://www.tvcnews.tv/ogun-govt-lists-flood-prone-areas-sends-warning-to-residents/).

“The concern of the Muslim Rights Concern in this conversation is that although people are told to go to high rise areas as flood is being expected, they have never been told where to go exactly. Fear and anxiety rent the air as citizens wonder where to evacuate to.

“We assert clearly, categorically and emphatically that it is not enough to send warnings to residents. They should be directed to safer places prepared by the government. That is good governance.

“We therefore call on both the state and local governments in Nigeria to set up camps with mattresses and other essentials and to direct people to go there in times of floods. Such camps should be ready before heavy rains begin. The time for this is now. To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail.

“Neither should states and local governments leave this task to the federal government. Nigerians should approach their state and local governments about the locations of camps. We should stop relying on the Federal Government alone particularly now that both tiers are receiving huge amounts of money.”

#StateGovernments

#LocalGovernments

#ErectFloodCamps

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

MURIC TO ALAAFIN: NO LAW GIVES YOU EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO APPOINT CHIEF IMAM

 

17^th September, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC TO ALAAFIN: NO LAW GIVES YOU EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO APPOINT CHIEF IMAM

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade claimed yesterday that he had the exclusive right to appoint the Chief Imam of Oyo town. But an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected the claim. The group argued that what the Alaafin called his exclusive right is a baseless priviledge now being abused by traditional rulers in Yorubaland.

MURIC’s reaction was contained in a press release issued on Wednesday, 17^th September, 2025 by its executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade claimed yesterday that he had the exclusive right to appoint the Chief Imam of Oyo town. The claim was contained in  a statement issued by the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, on Monday, September 15, 2025 (https://dailyobserver.ng/alaafin-declares-exclusive-right-to-appoint-oyo-chief-imam/).

 

“We reject this statement. It is false, baseless and without any legal backing. What the Alaafin called his exclusive right is a baseless priviledge now being abused by traditional rulers in Yorubaland. Alaafin is being economical with the truth.

“We challenge the Alaafin to produce the legal instrument that empowers him to appoint the Chief Imam for Oyo Muslim Community.

“Alaafin’s claim is illogical, irrational and laughable. If he has the power to appoint the Chief Imam, does he also have the power to appoint the bishop of Oyo? Now, if he has no power to appoint the bishop, he cannot claim the power to appoint the Chief Imam.

“If he is relying on tradition, there is a difference between tradition and what the law says. By the way, what kind of tradition enslaves Muslims but gives Christians freedom. We reject a tradition that puts Muslims in chains. Muslims are not slaves. The king should respect himself and know his limits so that he can be adequately respected. Nigeria is not a monarchy. It is a democracy.

“Priviledges enjoyed by past kings do not constitute any right by any stretch of imagination. The tradition in the past was to trek to Makkah on foot. That has been abandoned. The incumbent Alaafin should stop clinging to a comatose practice.

 

“Alaafin’s pedigree has already deprived him of any right to determine the destiny of Muslims of Oyo town. As a pastor he has no moral right to dictate who should lead the Muslims in Oyo. He himself should know this. We demand that he respects the sensibilities of his Muslim subjects. We are waiting to see how far he is committed to the pursuit of peace, justice and fairness in his domain.

“We reject an entitlement mentality based on sheer feudalistic sentiment, superiority complex and undue class distinction. Muslims are born free and they have the right to appoint their own leaders without external interference. We reject any system that seeks to enslave Muslims by imposing an Imam on them. It is totally wrong.

“The Alaafin reportedly said, ‘It should be noted that only His Imperial Majesty has the exclusive preserve to appoint a new Chief Imam for the town’. This statement smirks of over-bloated colonial mentality and empty feudal overlordship. It is provocative, preposterous and detestable. Under the law, it is ultra vires, null and void.

 

“Our position is that the Alaafin can bless anyone picked by the Muslim Community of Oyo town as the Chief Imam. This is in recognition of the fact that he is the king of the town. We expect the Muslim Community of Oyo town to consult the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), the umbrella organization of all Islamic associations of Yorubaland.

 

“The Muslim Community should present only one candidate, not two, not three, to the Alaafin and back its choice with an official letter in which the new Imam’s name is conspicuously written to avoid any chance of manipulation. The Alaafin’s blessing of their choice is not mandatory. It is a euphemism for passing information.

 

“To the Alaafin, Kabiyesi, Your Imperial Majesty, you are the king over the whole of Oyo. You are king over the Muslims, the Christians and the traditionalists. Each group chooses its own leader. No law gives you exclusive right to choose the Chief Imam. Otherwise, show us evidence that you picked the bishop. If you cannot pick the bishop, how can you pick the Imam? Stop impugning our dignity. Respect begets respect.”

 

#NoToAlaafinChiefImam

#ChiefImamOnlyByMuslims

#OyoMuslimsWakeUp

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

ABDUCTION OF 40 MUSLIMS, 1 BISHOP: KUKAH SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR FALSE ALLEGATION OF ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS ALONE – MURIC

16^th September, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

ABDUCTION OF 40 MUSLIMS, 1 BISHOP: KUKAH SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR FALSE ALLEGATION OF ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS ALONE – MURIC

40 Muslims were abducted in a Zamfara mosque yesterday, Monday, 15th September, 2025 while a bishop was also kidnapped in Kogi State on the same day. 

Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described those who ascribe killings and abductions to Islamisation as well as those who claim that only Christians are being killed by terrorists and bandits as confusionists, anarchists and alarmists.

The Islamic human rights organization declared that crime has no religious or ethnic colour. The group therefore demanded apology from Bishop Mathew Hasan Kuka over his frequent allegations of Islamisation and killing of Christians alone.  

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, 16th September, 2025 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

He said:

"Gunmen abducted 40 Muslims in a mosque at Gidan Turbe village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State yesterday, 15th September, 2025 while a bishop of St Paul’s Catholic Church, Rev Father Wilfred Ezemba, was also kidnapped in Kogi State (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/09/bandits-abduct-40-in-zamfara-mosque-as-peace-deal-collapses/). 

"We are of the opinion that these two sad incidents which happened on the same day underline the fact that terrorists and bandits target no particular religion or ethnic group. All they are interested in is to seize human beings for pecuniary gain. 

"It will be recalled that terrorists killed 50 Muslims in Malunfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State on 5^th August, 2025 (https://www.muricnigeria.com/katsina-50-muslim-lives-matter-too-muric/).

“60 Muslims were also mowed down in May 2020 in Sabon Birni, Sokoto State (http://orientalnewsng.com/how-60-people-were-killed-in-sabon-birni-sokoto-by-bandits/). An October 18, 2021 report confirmed the killing of more than 60 Muslims in a marketplace in Sokoto (https://humanglemedia.com/terrorists-kill-over-60-people-in-sokoto-market-attack/).

"The massacres of Muslims in large numbers further amplify the unnecessary dissipation of energy, sheer wild goose chases, superfluous media hype and spiritual masturbation in addressing the US Congress by people like Bishop Mathew Hasan Kuka to lay false and misleading allegations of the killing of Christians in Nigeria as if Muslims are also not victims of killings and abductions (https://punchng.com/you-lied-presidency-slams-kukah-over-virtual-address-to-us-congress/). 

"Entrepreneurs of falsehood and merchants of fake news are the main enemies of this country. They are enemies of peace and progress. Nigerians should know these agent provocateur and advocatus diaboli. Crime has no religious or ethnic colour. Those who ascribe terror attacks to Islamisation and allege that only Christians are being killed possess the verb ‘to lie’ and the noun ‘liars’.

"The wind has blown and we have seen the ruff of the hen. What happened yesterday in Zamfara where 40 Muslims were abducted and in Kogi State where a bishop was kidnapped have further opened the eyes of Nigerians. If lies start running for decades, truth will catch up in a single day. Nigerians have seen that gunmen, armed bandits and terrorists kill and abduct both Muslims and Christians. No adherents of any faith is spared by these men of evil. We are all victims.

"We therefore call on Bishop Mathew Hasan Kuka and his co-travellers to stop this spiritual masturbation and acrobatic religiousity. In particular, Kukah should tender unreserved apology to Nigerians for misleading them for so long." 

#WeAreAllVictims

#StopTheLies

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

TIME FOR FG TO REDISTRIBUTE WEALTH – MURIC

 

15^th September, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

TIME FOR FG TO REDISTRIBUTE WEALTH – MURIC

An appeal has gone to the Federal Government (FG) to redistribute wealth throughout the country in order to eliminate the current grinding poverty. The appeal was made by a faith-based human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

In a statement issued by the Executive Director of the group on Monday, 15^th September, 2025, MURIC lamented the growing trend of extensive poverty among the working class caused by alarmingly poor salaries amid fat and disproportionate remuneration for the political class.

The group said further:

“There is growing restlessness among the Nigerian working class. University lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have threatened to go on strike. In the same vein, resident doctors have given government notice of a strike. Similarly, hospital nurses have just resumed from a warning strike today, Monday, 15^th September, 2025.

“In the face of this gloomy socio-economic scenario, the Federal Government (FG) is reportedly considering increment in the earnings of politicians (https://lagostelevision.com/2025/08/19/fg-considers-pay-raise-for-political-office-holders/).

“Apart from an army of unemployed graduates, the condition of the working class in Nigeria is pitiable. The take-home-pay of the proletariat cannot take him home. Market prices which hit the roof more than a year ago are now up in the skies, aiming at Jupiter. Inflation rate was 21.88 as at July 2025.  

“There is widespread hunger and starvation in the country. The North is bleeding. The South is barely surviving. Strangulated and suffocated, the jamaahiir at the bottom of the pyramid of poverty can hardly breathe.

“While we appreciate the ongoing economic reform launched by the FG, we call for immediate reordering of the sharing pattern of our common patrimony. Only an equitable and proportionate readjustment of the salaries of workers and politicians can stem the current tide and bring about socio-economic justice.

“We also appeal to FG to reconsider its attempt to increase the wages of politicians (https://lagostelevision.com/2025/08/19/fg-considers-pay-raise-for-political-office-holders/) when, already, a senator allegedly earns a whooping N21 million monthly compared to a professor’s meager monthly salary of N633,333 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/08/looming-crisis-in-universities-professors-earn-n633333-senators-n21-million/).

“This sad development has caused brain drain in the universities. Exempli gratia, 239 first class lecturers left the University of Lagos (Unilag) in the last seven years over poor pay (https://thelagosianmagazine.com.ng/239-first-class-lecturers-quit-unilag-over-poor-pay-ex-vc/).

“Medical doctors and nurses are leaving the country in droves. At least 50 doctors leave Nigeria weekly (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/10/brain-drain-50-doctors-leave-nigeria-every-week-nma/). More than 15,000 nurses left Nigeria in 2024 alone (https://punchng.com/japa-association-raises-the-alarm-as-over-15000-nurses-leave-nigeria-in-2024/).

“MURIC laments the growing trend of extensive poverty and abject penury among the working class caused by alarmingly poor salaries amid fat, humongous and disproportionate remuneration for the political class.

“Nigeria’s lawmakers and other public office holders are already overpaid, overfed and overpampered. Their salaries should not be increased further. On the contrary, it is the working class who have been overworked, overtaxed but underpaid whose salaries should be increased, and promptly too.”

#NorthIsBleeding

#RedistributeWealth

#Politiciand Overpaid

#IncreaseWorkersWages

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)