IMPEACHMENT OF EKITI SPEAKER: IMPUNITY & MISUSE OF POLICE THREATEN DEMOCRACY

17^th November, 2014

PRESS RELEASE:

IMPEACHMENT OF EKITI SPEAKER: IMPUNITY & MISUSE OF POLICE THREATEN DEMOCRACY

The speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly was allegedly impeached today by only seven People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House out of 26. The seven minority members were allegedly led into the hallowed House by about 200 policemen who reportedly disallowed the remaining 19 members who belonged to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from entering the House to participate in the deliberations of the day.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) strongly condemns this disgraceful act of impunity. It is a blatant rape on democracy, an open misuse of the police and an undisguised invitation to chaos. It is also an unbridled breach of due process. It contravenes the principle of justice and equity, violates natural justice and tramples upon the rule of law. It is therefore unacceptable.

We recall a similar scenario during the attempted impeachment of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly by only 5 PDP members. The recognition given by President Jonathan to Governor Jang of Plateau State as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum despite the fact that Jang scored 16 votes while his rival, Governor Amaechi of Rivers State, scored 19, also comes to mind.

These undemocratic, autocratic and Bohemian decisions have marked out President Jonathan and the ruling party as unrepentant champions of injustice and brandishers of conscienceless power who are ever ready to subjugate powerless conscience.

MURIC is shocked by the overzealousness of the seven minority members to set aside universally recognized rules on quorum. It is a shameful disregard for decorum and a total disrespect of decent political culture. It exposes politicians in the ruling party as charlatans and Machiavellians.

Posterity will hold President Jonathan, his ruling party and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) responsible if Nigeria’s nascent democracy fails. The misuse of policemen by the ruling party and the unprofessional conduct of the IGP further cement the argument for the establishment of state police. It has become crystal clear that those in power today have the noun ‘oppression’ and the verb ‘to oppress’.

MURIC does not need a crystal ball to predict that the 2015 general elections cannot be free and fair as long as it is conducted by the same President Jonathan who gave credit to 16 over 19 and 7 over 19.

It is paradoxical that our president has just returned from Burkina Fasso where he played Big Brother Africa after a military coup in that West African country. We are constrained to ask, “Where is leadership by example?” Does charity begin at home in Nigeria at all? What lessons are we imparting to the Nigerian youth and students who engage in unionism?

MURIC invites the international community to note these ugly developments on the Nigerian political scene. We charge the lawmakers who were shut out of the Ekiti State House of Assembly to use every constitutional means available to resist the tyrants in our midst.  

We call on Nigerians generally to ignore affiliations on the basis of political parties but to defend democracy on the basis of principle, truth and morality.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

SUICIDE BOMB IN PORTISKUM SCHOOL: WHEN WILL JONATHAN RESIGN?

11^th November, 2014

PRESS RELEASE:

SUICIDE BOMB IN PORTISKUM SCHOOL:

WHEN WILL JONATHAN RESIGN?

47 school children were reported killed yesterday while 79 were wounded when a suicide bomber struck in a secondary school in Portiskum, Yobe State. The attack has been widely blamed on the Boko Haram insurgents.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) strongly condemns this cowardly, senseless and barbaric attack on innocent school children. Our hearts go to the families of the dead and wounded and we pray that Almighty Allah will give them succour in these trying moments.

There is no doubt in our mind that the Federal Government has not only grown senile but also become bemused on the issue of tackling terrorism. It is our considered opinion that the lack-luster approach of President Jonathan to security matters led to the deterioration of the situation in the North East.

Or is it not embarrassing enough that the president and his team remained cynical for more than a week after the abduction of more than 200 school girls? 211 days after the disappearance of the girls, FG remains clueless. To cap the edifice, the man at the helm of affairs is warming up today to declare for a second term in office, to beat his chest over his phantom achievements, to jubilate, to sing and dance over the dead and mutilated bodies of another 47 school children, mowed down in their prime.

In the face of this Kilimanjaro-height mountain of evidence of gross ineptitude and crass nonchalance, MURIC is constrained to ask the captain of the Nigerian ship of state, “Mr. President, when are you going to resign?”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

SOLDIERS KILL 22 YEAR OLD PHYSICS GRADUATE: MURIC PETITIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

The Chairman,                              9^th November, 2014

National Human Rights Commission,

Abuja.

Dear Sir,

PETITION AGAINST NIGERIAN MILITARY FOR THE BRUTAL KILLING OF 22 YEAR OLD PHYSICS GRADUATE

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) brings to your notice for proper investigation and action the brutal killing of 22 year old Muhammad Konto Abba-Sulum in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, on Wednesday, 5^th November, 2014.

The deceased, who was driving, was stopped at Bolori Layout, Maiduguri, by two uniformed soldiers, James Isuwa and Umoh who got into his vehicle and ordered him to drive ahead. He was forced to drive to a certain point where they shot and killed him. The soldiers also took the car away.

Unfortunately for the killer soldiers they were sighted by vigilantes the next morning when they took the car to a filling station along Baga Road. They were accosted by the civilian vigilantes because the car had been reported missing the previous day. They were subsequently handed over to the military in Maiduguri.

The deceased, Muhammad Konto Abba-Sulum, who was born on 8^th July, 1992, graduated in October 2014 (B. Sc. Physics) at the University of Maiduguri. He was preparing to join the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) when the lawless soldiers cut him down in his prime.

The killing of this promising young man is a crime against humanity. Yet it is just one out of so many unreported killings and wanton violations of Allah-given and fundamental human rights of civilians in North East Nigeria since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency. MURIC demands full investigation into this gruesome murder. We request NHRC to wade into the matter with a view to:

1.  Ensuring that the case is not swept under the carpet in the spirit of camaraderie;

2.  That the culprits are brought to justice

3.  That adequate and full compensation be paid to the bereaved parents and

4.  That the full investigation and castigation serves as a lesson to other reckless security agents in the country.

Thank you for your selfless service to humanity.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

INEC STAFF, CAN PLOT TO DISENFRANCHISE MUSLIM VOTERS IN THE SOUTH-WEST

7^th November, 2014

PRESS RELEASE:

INEC STAFF, CAN PLOT TO DISENFRANCHISE MUSLIM VOTERS IN THE SOUTH-WEST

Millions of Muslim voters were disallowed from registering for the last general elections held in April 2011 courtesy a grand conspiracy between some Christian fanatics among the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).    

Going by INEC’s current body language coupled with Oritsejafor’s recent outburst, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has every reason to suspect foul play in the ongoing distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) and capturing of faces of new eligible voters.

It will be recalled that CAN president, Oritsejafor, yesterday raised a false alarm that INEC planned to disenfranchise Nigerian Christians. He made the allegation without explaining how it could be possible for INEC to do that. On the contrary, it was Christians working as registration officers during the 2011 election who persecuted and profiled Muslims and disallowed them from registering.

Muslims who complained were told by those Christian officers that they should go to Kano or Sokoto if they wanted to dress like Muslims. Since this treatment was common in the whole South West during the 2011 election and since the remarks made by the officials were similar, it follows that CAN cannot wash its hands off such marginalization of Muslims.

We are therefore not a little amused by Oritsejafor’s false alarm that INEC planned to disenfranchise Christians. We are tempted to ask Oritsejafor, “Is there any means by which INEC officials can identify Christians merely by seeing them on queues?” “Is it not Muslims who are so easily identifiable?” “What has Oritsejafor got to gain by playing such pranks?”

“Is it part of godliness to oppress and still be the first to throw accusations”? “Does it not amount to deceit and dirty politics?” “Should such pranks come from the house of God?” Were Christians disenfranchised like Muslims in 2011?

We challenge Oritsejafor to show evidence of INEC’s ploy to disenfranchise Christians otherwise Nigerians must conclude that the CAN president is accusing others to cover up his sinister plan against Muslims.

MURIC is constrained to remind Nigerians of the bitter pill forced down the throat of South West Muslims during the 2011 general elections when millions were not allowed to register and were consequently disenfranchised.

Millions of Muslim women who wore hijab were asked to remove them before their faces could be captured by the camera. Those who refused to do so were turned back and forced to return to their houses. MURIC office was flooded with complaints during this period but we appealed to the victims to exercise patience.

Apart from the women, thousands of Muslim males who wore caps and tajia suffered the same fate. Even the Imams were not speared. For wearing turbans, they were turned away from registration centers and threatened with arrest and prosecution.

MURIC resisted this ugly trend and our complaints were widely reported by the media during the 2011 election. We have every reason to believe that the same gameplan is about to replay itself during the present exercise.

We therefore call on INEC to educate and WARN its permanent and ad hoc staff not to attempt, under any guise whatsoever, to stop Muslims from carrying out their civic responsibilities this time around.

South West Muslims have been pushed to the wall. They will not leave registration centers until they have been attended to. Neither will they obey anyone who asks them to remove their hijabs, caps, tajias and turbans.

Nigeria belongs to us all, Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists. Any attempt to repeat the stigmatization and political marginalisation of Muslims or subject them to mockery at registration centers will be firmly resisted. Even without going violent, Muslims will not allow enemies of peace to deprive them of their Allah-given fundamental human rights.

Finally and for the avoidance of any doubt, we affirm that no section of the Nigerian constitution disallows Muslim women from using hijab or their men from using caps, tajia or turban. Therefore any INEC official who attempts to disallow Muslims who use the aforementioned will not only be breaching the law but will also be inviting anarchy.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

DISTRIBUTION OF VOTERS’ CARDS: INEC MUST CORRECT ANOMALIES

7th November, 2014 PRESS RELEASE: DISTRIBUTION OF VOTERS’ CARDS: INEC MUST CORRECT ANOMALIES The distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) exercise began nationwide sometime ago. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been conducting the exercise with hiccups noticed here and there.   While we commend INEC for taking giant strides in the conduct of elections in a country as complex as Nigeria, we hasten to warn that the electoral body must quickly correct errors in its calculations and submissions. In particular, INEC leadership must develop an eagle eye capable of detecting bad eggs who may be responsible for errors of commission. We know that even INEC can err since erring is human. But such mistakes must be limited to errors of omission. INEC must expose insiders who collaborate with election riggers no matter whose ox is gored. Adequate punishment capable of acting as deterrent must also be meted out to such black sheep. In this regard, INEC must quickly correct the numerical inexactitude noted in the number of registered voters in Lagos State. Whereas INEC declared 6,247 million voters for Lagos in 2011, the electoral body has declared 4.8 million only for the 2015 exercise. This leaves a huge shortfall of 1.4 million. In Ogun State for example, hundreds of names were reported missing, including that of Mr. Allen-Taylor, a lawmaker from the state. The failure of INEC to start the distribution exercise in Lagos on Friday as previously announced by INEC is equally disturbing. The state government had declared Friday workfree because of INEC’s announcement so as to enable civil servants and other workers in the state to partake in the exercise. The economic loss as a result of the holiday must have been immense and INEC must be held responsible for this. The electoral body must tighten its belt as it should not create the impression that any particular state is being targeted for under-registration. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) finds these anomalies alarming. We charge INEC to correct the irregularities in order to allay voters’ fears. Rigging does not take place on the day of election per se. It starts from registration of voters. INEC has built a good reputation which must not be allowed to be soiled by overambitious politicians and greedy individuals. The electoral body must therefore take such steps that will assure state governments, political parties and the electorate generally of its good intentions. This must be done in the next few days in order to avoid doubts and suspicions which may lead to protests and violence before, during and after elections. Finally, MURIC calls on INEC to quickly address the issues raised. The 1.4 million names missing in the Lagos axis is unacceptable. Something must also be done about the names missing on the voters’ register in other states. Similarly, INEC must compensate Lagosians for the distribution exercise which could not take off in Lagos on Friday by extending the exercise by at least 24 hours. Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

FEDERAL TASK FORCE MUST LEAVE LAGOS ROADS

5^th November, 2014

PRESS RELEASE:

FEDERAL TASK FORCE MUST LEAVE LAGOS ROADS

Men of the SURE-P Federal Task Force who are linked to Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) allegedly chased away the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) from so called Federal roads yesterday, causing chaos and pandemonium.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is shocked by this shameless display of possessiveness. When did FERMA and SURE-P suddenly realize that traffic should be maintained on ‘Federal’ roads in Lagos?

Lagosians are aware of the antics of wolves in sheep clothing. The Federal Government (FG) which had abandoned Lagos to its fate for so long is suddenly showing interest. We are aware of wonders like this particularly when the election is so close. We are also aware that Lagos State is the beautiful bride whom FG wants at all cost.

The only agencies recognised by law to manage traffic in the state are the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC, for federal roads) and the State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

By the way, what is this blind impunity and arrogance of power all about? Are the so called ‘Federal’ roads not situated in Lagos State? Is it the people of Abuja who are plying the roads? Are the real users not Lagosians? How then can you exclude the Lagos State Government and its legally constituted agencies from ensuring free flow of traffic on them? Must FG politicize everything, including the free flow of traffic?

MURIC puts it to FG that men of the Federal Task Force are therefore parasites on Lagos roads. They are nothing but cancerous tumours on the anatomy of Lagos transport system and an unnecessary and wasteful duplication of the traffic system. We have every reason to believe that the main purpose for their presence on Lagos roads is to cause confusion.

LASTMA and FRSC have been performing well and Lagosians appreciate their efforts. Lagos does not need confusionists calling themselves Federal Task Force. With the FG-controlled police, the army and the civil defence, what does FG need a takt force for in a state? Yesterday’s show of shame must be the last from these reactionary agents. We warn the Federal Task Force not to try the patience of Lagosians.

Finally, MURIC urges the Lagos State Commisioner of Police to tutor his men. Anyone who chases LASTMA officials from Lagos roads is not only endangering the lives of Lagosians but also sending an invitation to anarchy.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

CONFIRMATION OF IGP: REWARD FOR PARTISANSHIP?

5^th November, 2014

PRESS RELEASE:

CONFIRMATION OF IGP: REWARD FOR PARTISANSHIP?

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan yesterday confirmed Mr. Sulaiman Abba as the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Coming within the same week in which Mr. Abba openly supported the ruling party by withdrawing the security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal who defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition’s All Progressives Party (APC), the confirmation of Mr. Sulaiman Abba as the chief police officer of Nigeria comes across as badly timed, insensitive and provocative.

In spite of the outcry against the illegal, partisan and unprofessional action of Mr. Abba, Mr. President has chosen to reward mediocrity. Like many other actions of President Jonathan, this confirmation is another manifestation of impunity and lack of concern for public opinion.

It further confirms the allegation that Aso Rock has been consistent in pursuing divisive ploys. It is only natural to expect no free and fair election in 2015 under an IGP who is openly overzealous about serving his boss and who has thrown professionalism to the winds.

The president himself has demonstrated to all and sundry that all he is interested in is winning the next election by any means possible. This explains his lackadaisical attitude to the problem of insecurity particularly in the North East as well as the attendant humanitarian crisis of immense proportion.

We suspect that even the much publicized cease-fire agreement was designed to give the president a conducive atmosphere for the expression of interest in a second term in office. The fallout of this hocus-pocus is what we are presently witnessing, namely, the speedy overrunning of key cities and villages in Adamawa by the Boko Haram insurgents and the extension of the tentacles of terror to Gombe State.   

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) reminds the IGP of his primary responsibility, viz, to protect lives and properties. The IGP should also note that his loyalty must be to the Nigerian nation and not to any individual, no matter how highly placed.

MURIC invites the IGP to note Part III B Section 215(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 which carefully chose the adjective ‘lawful’ to describe the type of instructions which the President of Nigeria or the minister of Police Affairs can give him. In essence, it is not all ‘orders’ that are lawful and the IGP must separate the wheat from the chaff in carrying out orders issued by government officials.

In this regard, we call on the relevant committees of the National Assembly to perform their oversight functions with patriotic zeal. Ceteris paribus, despotism should not thrive in a democracy. The National Assembly should not allow itself to be turned into a mere rubber-stamp and a toothless bulldog. It should be able to call the chief executive to order whenever he tends to overstep his bounds. This is why they are our elected representatives. They are the voice of the voiceless.

Finally, we appeal to the Nigerian press and the rest of civil society to play the role expected of them during 2015 elections. We charge Nigerian citizens to seek enlightenment about their civic responsibilities as well as their Allah-given fundamental human rights. Nigerians must brace up for the struggle ahead. We fought the military to a standstill to install democracy and we must not relent in the defence of equal rights and justice. We must continue to defend our free speech, our liberty and our common wealth.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)