PRESS RELEASE: ALLOW SUNTAI TO REST

18th September, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

ALLOW SUNTAI TO REST

Ailing Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai returned to the country a few weeks ago after spending ten months abroad receiving medical attention for injuries sustained in an aircrash in 2012. But his return has ignited tension in the state and created a wide political gulf between those who want him to resume work as governor immediately and those who deem him unfit to continue in office. Keen observers have seen how the governor was aided from the aircraft that brought him into the country. More revealing was his purported address and swearing in of new officials.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is convinced that certain dramatis personae are re-enacting the Yaradua drama in Taraba State. The ailing governor, from all indications, is oblivious of whatever is happening around him. The best anyone who claims to love him can do now is to allow him to have full rest instead of railroading him into performing official functions for which he may not be mentally alert and physically prepared. Our position is further cemented by media reports of yesterday in which medical experts in the US-based hospital in which the governor was treated affirmed that he must be allowed to rest.

The governor's cronies, his boot-lickers and court-jesters must learn from the mistakes of the close aides of late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua who, in their bid to retain political power, overworked the late president, concealed him from public glare and even blocked important state officials like the vice president from setting eyes on him. History is currently repeating itself in Taraba as the Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, is treated like a leper by the ailing governor's kitchen cabinet. This is happening in spite of the confirmation of the Deputy Governor as Acting Governor by the ruling party in the state, the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

We appeal to all stakeholders in the state to allow sanity to prevail. We cannot get it right in Nigeria until we eschew tribal and religious sentiment. The law is very clear about what happens when a governor is indisposed. Jalingo must therefore allow the rule of law to prevail. Most importantly, the Acting Governor must be given every necessary cooperation and support to move the state forward. The lawmakers in Jalingo must manifest a unique sense of maturity in this regard. We warn that this is not an ideal setting for cooking up an impeachment against the Acting Governor over flimsy and baseless excuses. Jalingo lawmakers must rally behind the Acting Governor to take Taraba State to the next level.

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: POLICE BLOCKADE OF AMAECHI'S ROUTE

15^th September, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

  POLICE BLOCKADE OF AMAECHI'S ROUTE

The Rivers State police on Friday 13th September, 2013 blocked the road leading to the Government house and disallowed Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his convoy from passing. The policemen still refused to change their mind even after the governor himself came out to appeal to them. In the governor's convoy were ex-speakers of Nigeria's state assemblies who were returning to government house with the governor after visiting completed projects in the state.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) considers this ugly development as a national embarrassment. What happened on Friday should not be seen as a Rivers State affair alone. This one has caused serious inconvenience to ex-speakers of the country's state assemblies. Apart from this, it should be realised that whatever happens in any state is likely to be replicated in other states. Ripple effects are also likely to be felt. Nigerians must remember that the First Republic collapsed mainly because of the thuggery, hooliganism and lawlessness in the Wild Wild West.

MURIC is greatly disturbed by the attitude of the police in Rivers State. It was the same police formation which stood akimbo as mayhem reigned in the House of Assembly. The same police formation withdrew the governor's security outfit a few days ago. We like to differ, however, from those who lay the blame on the doorsteps of the Inspector General of Police. We assert clearly, unambiguously and unequivocally that the buck stops on President Jonathan's table. Afterall there have been wranglings between the president and Governor Amaechi. The president took the inglorious decision to recognize Governor Jang who scored 16 at the governors's forum election against Governor Amaechi who scored 19. There is also the festering squabble involving Nigeria's First Lady and Amaechi.

These indeed are odious signs in a nascent democracy. We call on the presidency to save its image now before it is too late. Aso Rock is killing a fly with a sledge hammer. The way and manner the presidency wages its war with Governor Amaechi leaves no one in doubt about its readiness to throw democratic principles to the wind. Absolute power is being brandished left, right and center with reckless abandon. Nigerians must not forget that absolute power corrupts absolutely. In the present circumstances, we cannot but hold the presidency responsible if this democratic setting is derailed.

MURIC calls upon civil society to rise immediately against Aso Rock's tyranny. We charge the heroes of our nascent democracy and the champions of our hardwon liberty to caution President Jonathan. After confronting military dictators in the 80s and 90s, a civilian totalitarian cannot cow us into silence. We charge activists across the country to remember the golden words of Martin Niemoller who lamented, "First they came for the communists and I didnt speak up, because I was not a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didnt speak up because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics and I didnt speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak for me."

It is time for nonviolent, civilized and organized resistance to Jonathan's totalitarian propensities. Enough is enough. If they can do this much to a whole governor, then the ordinary Nigerian cannot get justice in this country. We affirm that injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.

Finally, MURIC cautions Aso Rock to stop breathing down the necks of the Rivers State police and that of the Inspector General of Police. The police must be allowed to perform their jobs in a professional manner without let or hinderance. The Rivers State imbroglio has also strengthened the case of those in the pro-state police camp. Too much power is concentrated in the center. States must be allowed to own their own police in the next dispensation.

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

ON FG'S 53 GOLD-PLATED IPHONES

13^th September, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

53 GOLD-PLATED IPHONES! IT HAD BETTER NOT BE

 

The Independent of London recently disclosed that the Federal Government has ordered 53 gold-plated iPhones via a Dubai-based business man, Mr. Amjad Ali of Gold & Co, to commemorate Nigeria"s 53^rd independence anniversary. According to the report, each gold-plated iPhone may cost 50,000 British pounds or N12.2 million, totaling approximately N649 million. Each gold-plated iPhone is expected to be engraved with the Nigerian coat of arms, a shield and two horses.

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is highly flabbergasted by the likely veracity of this allegation. It is nothing but a sheer exercise in executive insensitivity, official callousness and administrative brigandage.

 

It is unthinkable, laughable and irrational that this can happen in a country whose proletariat is wallowing in abject poverty, a country adjudged as the 20^th hungriest country and 26^th poorest, where 80 million people live below poverty line, where 11 million people are undernourished, where the citizens live on less than $1 per day and per capita income is less than $300.

 

Who are these 53 gold-plated iPhones for? Are they for the hungry jamaaheer (masses) or for the army of jobless youths? Are they meant to solve the imbroglio in the education sector or to eliminate our security challenges?

 

This disclosure further cements the hypothesis that 1% of Nigerians consume 85% of Nigeria's wealth leaving a paltry 15% for the remaining 99% of the population.

 

MURIC reminds those in power today that everything in this life is ephemeral. Our leaders should not think that amassing wealth will elongate their lives on earth. "He piles up wealth and thinks his wealth will make him live forever" (Glorious Qur'an 104:3-4) Nay! Why have our leaders failed to learn from history, particularly from recent history?

 

Where is Abacha? Where is ex-President Yar'adua? Where is Stella Obasanjo? The Qur'an affirms, "The death from which you flee will surely overtake you. Then you will return to the Knower of all things and He will tell you the truth of all you did" (Quran 62:8). Our leaders can hide their excesses from us today but they will not be able to do so Yaom al-Qiyamah (on the Day of Judgement).

 

What kind of message are our leaders sending to us? They ask us to be prudent but they are wasteful. They tell us to exercise patience but they are reckless. They talk about war against corruption but they are not transparent.

 

We implore our rulers to imbibe the fear of Allah and to have the love of the citizens in their hearts. Unless this happens, they will continue to attract the anger and the curses of the under-trodden jamaaheer.

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
0818-211-9714

 

 

 

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

LET THE MUSLIMS GO: SIGN THIS PETITION

LET THE MUSLIMS GO! 

Salaam All,

Early marriage is a Muslim affair which does not concern non-Muslims. Muslims and their religion are being derided in public over this matter. We are held in contempt by those who cannot tolerate the views and ways of life of Muslims. They have refused to accept Muslims as Muslims. The only Muslims acceptable to them are those who reject the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW).

Muslims in Nigeria have never questioned any aspect of Christian way of life as long as it is not imposed on Muslims. But Christians always seek to impose Christian ways of life on Muslims and disallow Muslims from practicing Islam as it should be practiced. Early marriage is part of the Sunnah of Islam. It is not compulsory but it is allowed. Many Muslims may not practice it but those who practice it should not be condemned or stopped from enjoying this right. It is Muslim parents who give out Muslim girls. They do not give out Christian girls and so why should that become a matter for public debate? It is an all Muslim affair. 

I am therefore urging members of this forum to sign the petition below in support of this cause. The petition was originated by the Choice Protection Group, an Islamic NGO. They are gunning for 4 million signatures. Your signatures will send a strong signal to those who are meddling in the affairs of Muslims to leave the Muslims alone. Let the Muslims go!

GO TO: www.choiceprotectiongroup.com  to sign the petition.

 

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

MILITANTS' THREAT AGAINST ATIKU

9^th September, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

MILITANTS' THREAT AGAINST ATIKU UNACCEPTABLE

 

Militants from the Niger Delta reportedly threatened Nigeria's former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over what it called the latter's role in the balkanization of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). The militants allegedly declared him persona non grata in the Niger Delta area.        

 

We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) regard this threat as a big minus in the chances of President Goodluck Jonathan winning the next general election to begin his second term in office. We find this approach adopted by militants in the Niger Delta lacking in political sagacity, and inter-personal diplomacy. The authors of this threat have unwittingly drawn the attention of Nigerians outside the Niger Delta to their parochial mentality in which President Jonathan is seen merely as the president of the Niger Delta people alone.

 

MURIC reminds Niger Delta militants that anyone that emerges as president in this country has become the president of the whole of Nigeria. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is therefore not a regional president for the Niger Delta alone. He is the president of the core North, the Middle Belt, the South West, the Niger Delta, the South-South and the South East. He is the president of all. Whoever is behind the latest threat has not helped Mr. President.

 

Nobody has the right to declare any candidate persona non grata in any region in a democracy. The game is not fair if a level playing field is not provided for all contestants. By seeking to give undue advantage to their kinsmen, and by manifesting ethnic vendetta against a possible opposition candidate from another region, militants of the Niger Delta are indirectly recruiting supporters for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar while scaring away people from outside the Niger Delta who hitherto belonged to the Jonathan camp.

 

It is very sad that fourteen years into the Fourth Republic, a section of Nigeria still believes in politics of threat. MURIC affirms that the current crisis in the PDP is neither regional nor ethnic. Rather it is an intra-party struggle for the enforcement of Allah-given and fundamental rights as well as the entrenchment of democratic principles of justice, liberty, equality and the rule of law. It is about whether the PDP wants to genuinely reform or remain permanently reactionary.

 

MURIC charges all elements in the PDP and other political parties, particularly Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, not to allow this threat to dampen their enthusiasm. The psychology of fear is being exploited to keep opponents at bay. This is alien to democratic culture. We therefore urge all politicians to ignore the threat and pursue their ambitions without fear.  

 

Nonetheless, we call on Nigeria's security agencies to wade into the matter immediately. Threats of this nature must not be taken lightly if the reputation of Niger Delta militants is anything to go by. This is a challenge for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and a test of his professional competence. Everything necessary must be done to ensure the safety of the ex-Vice President. In addition, it must be noted that the issuance of threat against any particular person is a criminal offence. Issued this time around against no less a personality than an ex-President, the IGP owes it a duty to commence criminal investigation against the authors of the threat if he does not want Nigeria to become the laughing stock of the international community.

 

Finally, the presidency must manifest its political maturity and prove its innocence of the threat by issuing a disclaimer. Silence implies complicity. Nigerians cannot accept governance via threats and blackmail. These are inconsistent with freedom, a major dividend of democracy.

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
0818-211-9714

 

 

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

POLICE SEALING OF NEW PDP SECRETARIAT

9^th September, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

POLICE SEALING OF NEW PDP SECRETARIAT 

Armed riot squad of the Nigerian Police took over the premises of the new secretariat of the breakaway Baraje faction of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) at Plot 4, Oyi River Crescent, Maitama, Abuja on Saturday, 8^th September, 2013. Nobody was allowed to enter the building.

It will be recalled that seven governors, several senators and members of the House of Representatives had formed another faction of the PDP after the unsuccessful convention organized by the party.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) considers this development very unhealthy for democracy. The fact that the issue is still before the court which had asked the two parties to maintain the status quo makes the police action on the order of the Tukur-led PDP leadership premature, illegal and unconstitutional.

This police action is suggestive of panic and confusion within the old PDP. We advise this group to put its house in order through genuine dialogue which guarantees the dignity of each politician in its fold and caters for the interest of every stakeholder instead of heating up the polity with police action.

We are disappointed that a government that swore to respect the law courts and to make the rule of law a cardinal point resorts to an illegitimate police action. By its body language, the Jonathan administration continues to prove to Nigerians that it has not learnt from history. The collapse of the First Republic was not unrelated to the use of police to haunt and harass the opposition.

This is also the case in Rivers State where the governor's police escort has been withdrawn. We alert Nigerians about the danger posed by this phenomenon. Chief Bola Ige, former Minister of Justice, was assassinated a few minutes after his police escort technically 'withdrew' a few meters away.

MURIC warns that Nigerians will not stomach any political assassination this time around. The old PDP led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur should learn to brook dissent. Resorting to a show of force can only allow the crisis to escalate.

We charge the judiciary to stand firm and resist pressure from the ruling party. As an integral part of the Realm, the judiciary is the last hope of the oppressed and any sign of weakness on its part will be an invitation to anarchy. Nigeria's democracy would remain a farce if the ruling party is allowed to get away with contempt of the court.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
0818-211-9714

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

CAN FANNING THE EMBERS OF WAR

3^rd September, 2013

PRESS RELEASE:

CAN BLACKMAILING FG, FANNING EMBERS OF WAR

 

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Sunday, 1^st September 2013, asked the Federal Government to withdraw the query given to the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Festus Odimegwu, and apologise to him over the 2006 census controversy. The Christian umbrella organization took a swipe at the Federal Government whom it accused of treating as sacred cows.

 

We assert that CAN has an anti-North agenda and the Christian umbrella body is merely using the census issue as a smokescreen to realize this. By targeting certain leaders, bureaucrats and politicians of Northern extraction, CAN leadership is simply exposing itself as implacable jingoists who are out to use every available tool, both fair and foul, to bring the North to its knees. Available indices only point towards one direction as far as the objective of CAN is concerned, viz, to turn the North into a Christian enclave or destroy it in the alternative. CAN is indulging in ethnic profiling.

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) warns President Jonathan not to be deceived by the antics of CAN. This is a body deeply committed to committing wrongdoings only to be the first to accuse Muslim leaders of being the perpetrators. Seizing every opportunity availed by the traditional pro-CAN sentiment in the Western-oriented media, CAN abuses its monopoly of the paraphernalia of propaganda with astounding impunity.

 

Neither the Federal Government nor CAN should mistake the cool-headedness and maturity of Muslim leaders for a sign of weakness or cowardice. On the contrary, the attitude of Muslim leaders is informed by high level of responsible leadership, exemplary discipline and an unparalleled degree of patriotism. Records show that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has never issued confrontational statements or employed provocative language since its inception whereas the archives are replete with several instances of the use of reckless and unpalatable statements from CAN. This last pronouncement issued by the Christian body falls within such category.

 

We challenge CAN to cite just one instance whereby NSCIA issued a provocative statement and we will cite trailer-loads of examples of unguarded statements emanating from CAN leadership. The time has come to put the records straight.  

 

MURIC denounces these last declarations as baseless, reckless and unbecoming of a pulpit sermon. It is a deliberate attempt to heat up the polity. We charge CAN to join hands with the Federal Government in dousing tension particularly at a time like this when a lot of people are on edge.

 

We find it very amusing that CAN is now accusing the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) of dabbling into politics every time. CAN said in its latest statement and we quote: "Since when has ACF become a political party that every time they will always dabble into politics?" This is hypocrisy of the highest order because ACF has never hidden its identity as a pressure group. This is normal in a democracy. Why should CAN attempt to silence ACF? By the way, who should comment more on politics, a pressure group or a religious body? We implore CAN leadership to inject some modicum of sincerity into its public declarations in order to avoid misleading its followers.

 

How dare CAN accuse Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, governor of the Central Bank, of turning the CBN into an Islamic agenda? Can CAN say that it is not aware of the open secret that the whole of Nigeria is a Christian project? No, CAN cannot! Was CAN not leading a campaign of Nigeria for Christ particularly in the pre-Shariah period 1979-1999? The Christian body is simply exposing the major stock-in-trade of its leadership, namely, blackmail.

 

We consider it mean, demeaning and highly denigrating that CAN will turn national issues into personal ones as it rants on the same Sanusi, "Why have they not called Sanusi to order? This is a man who will dress islamically to office in a manner that is contrary to the banking code. Yet, the heavens didn't fall."

 

Now we know where CAN is coming from! The above complaint about Sanusi's Islamic dress highlights CAN's preoccupation at the moment. As far as CAN is concerned, there is a deadly virus in anything that has a tinge of Islam in it. This includes, but is not limited to, Islamic dresses, Islamic organizations, Muslim leaders, Islamic traditions, the religion of Islam itself and every Muslim person. MURIC reminds CAN that those who hold Muslims in contempt will not see anything good in Muslims and cannot coexist peacefully with Muslims. This is an interesting finding for sociologists. It is also food for thought for those looking for solution to the crises in places like Plateau State.

  

There is however one area where we agree with CAN when it said, "The only solution to these problems is a national conference come 2014 to address all the issues in Nigeria where it would be determined whether we will remain together or peacefully part ways..." As far as we are concerned, a sovereign National Conference (SNG) has become sine qua non in present day Nigeria. However, unlike CAN that is envisaging a balkanization of the country after the SNG, MURIC looks forward to Nigerians allowing themselves to determine how to live together peacefully without parting ways.

 

For long CAN's president Oritsejafor raved at Muslims in general of being behind the Boko Haram phenomenon but we were shocked to our marrows when Oritsejafor maintained a conspiratorial silence two weeks ago when Muslims were killed in large number inside two different mosques by the same Boko Haram.

 

MURIC appeals to Muslim leaders and the adherents of Islam throughout Nigeria to ignore the provocative pronouncements of CAN and continue on their avowed path of responsible leadership cum responsive followership. We ask Muslims to continue to love and to forgive, to tolerate, to understand, to share and to care. In particular, we urge Northern leaders not to respond to CAN in like manner in order to avoid an implosion. The rest of the world is waiting for the actualization of the prediction of Nigeria's breakup in 2015. It shall not be in Allah's Mighty Name.

 

Finally, we dismiss CAN's demand for apology from the Federal Government to Odimegwu. We ask the Federal Government to consider the demand as one coming from an overbearing body. Such apology can only mean one thing, that FG is controlled by CAN and that the government lacks dignity, integrity and institutional honour.

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
0818-211-9714

 

 

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