The Muslim
Rights Concern, MURIC, has reacted to moves by the Christian Association of
Nigeria, CAN, to deploy 300 observers during the 2019 elections as well as
certain subterranean manoeuvres in the political arena.
MURIC said
CAN was over-reaching itself, adding that monitoring elections in Nigeria has
never been based on religious affiliation.
MURIC said
this in a statement signed by its director and founder, Professor Ishaq
Akintola, and made available to the Media on Monday, where the organization
advised CAN to give what belongs to Ceasar to Ceasar.
MURIC
further claimed that CAN’s observation of the election can never be neutral,
adding that Christian clergies have openly exhorted their followers not to vote
for Muslims.
The Muslim
rights group’s statement continues, “CAN is overreaching itself. The monitoring
of elections in this country has never been based on religious affiliation. The
last time we checked, no country in the whole wide world has been doing that.
The avalanche of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is more than enough as
neutral observers. We advise CAN to give unto Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar
(Mathew 22:21).
“Come to
think of it, how does CAN expect to guarantee its neutrality as an observer?
Who doesn’t know what the reports of CAN’s observers will contain? It is very
simple given the anti-Muslim threats and post-Christian comments of pastors in
the past two years. Christian clergies have openly exhorted their followers not
to vote for Muslims.
“So what
they will be reporting as observers is very easy to guess. CAN has shown beyond
any reasonable doubt that it has vested interest. We, therefore, advise the
Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) to ignore CAN’s request on the
issue of observers.”
MURIC also
accused CAN of seeking to impose Christian governors in all South Western
states.
“Our
neighbours do not believe in sharing with others. They must take everything. To
them the method does not matter. Fair or foul means mean the same to them.
“Otherwise
how does one explain CAN’s demand that INEC should declare Ademola Adeleke as
the winner of Osun gubernatorial election when CAN is not unaware that Adeleke
scored F9 parallel in WAEC and the police has a case of examination malpractice
waiting for him?
“What kind
of governor will Adeleke be? What example can he give the youths of the State
of Osun? Will he have the moral right to condemn students who engage in
examination malpractice or cultism?
“Adeleke
will certainly desecrate the revered office of the governor. Or does CAN think
dancing alone is enough as qualification for the post of governor? CAN wants to
sacrifice excellence on the altar of mediocrity. Just because of religion?
“How does a
governor with such a low level of education appreciate the value of education
in the state? How will he relate with professors and doctorate degree holders
in his executive when no hospital has the cure for inferiority complex?
“We like to
place it on record that CAN is the one that often forces MURIC to engage it in
polemics. We cannot keep quiet when CAN adopts an aggressive political agenda
which is detrimental to the interest of Muslims.
“MURIC has a
moral obligation to defend the interest of Muslims. The atmosphere will be
cleaner and safer if CAN will not seek to arrogate all political offices to
Christians or make ridiculous demands like seeking to enthrone the least
qualified citizen in a state as governor.
“Can CAN
deny that its leaders met the Oyo State governor about three weeks ago to
demand that the next governor of the state must be a Christian? Was that also
not CAN’s battle cry for the heart of Lagos in 2015? Today, Lagos, Ondo and
Ekiti are ruled by Christian governors while Ogun, Osun and Oyo have Muslims as
governors. That means Christians have three governors while Muslims also have
three. But CAN is not satisfied. Its own idea of neighbourliness is to seize
the whole South West. Our people say that the eagle that perches on a treetop
does not know that those on the ground are watching it.
“We know the
rationale for CAN’s interest and we understand. Patronage becomes specially
juicy, pecuniary benefits become more secretive and political appointments get
more lopsided when its cronies are made governors. But should religion be the
main criterion for choice of state governors?
“We advise
CAN to do away with its domineering complex. Religious leaders should allow the
electorate to choose candidates with the right leadership qualities like
vision, high-level intelligence, accessibility, credibility, integrity, probity
and accountability. Any candidate who possesses these qualities should be the
favourite of the electorate. It does not matter whether he is a Christian or a
Muslim. Only thus can such candidates perform when they get into office. For
the avoidance of doubt, MURIC is prepared to accept and support any Christian
candidate who possesses the right qualities.
“Let us pick
candidates on the basis of what they are capable of doing and not on the basis
of their religious affiliation. We must look for candidates who will eliminate
corruption, improve infrastructure, provide job opportunities, care for
retirees and senior citizens, diversify the economy, pursue a rigorous public
health scheme, provide 24-hour power supply and turn the education sector into
the pride of scholars. CAN should, therefore, stop making demands for
Christians to be picked as gubernatorial candidates or presidents. It is
parochial, myopic and counter-productive.
“CAN should
also realize the Utopian nature of the ‘Christians vote for Christians’ dogma.
It is unrealistic in the Nigerian setting. For example, now, former Vice
President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and President Muhammadu Buhari have emerged as
candidates of the two major political parties and both happen to be Muslims.
How does that fit into the Christian agenda?
“MURIC
appeals to CAN to think Nigeria and to work towards emancipating the masses
from the grip of the few wealthy, greedy and selfish citizens. How do we
explain a situation where only 1% of the population arrogate to themselves 85%
of the total wealth while the overwhelming 99% fight over just 15% of the
resources? The hard fact is that Christians and Muslims are among the 1%
superfluously rich while the 99% hoi polloi are also Christians and Muslims.
“This is the
area that should concern religious leaders. We should find solutions to
poverty, illiteracy and disease. Christian and Muslim leaders should put their
heads under the same thinking cap to find solution to corruption, insecurity
and other problems plaguing the nation. We should think less of the religion of
the president or the governor because that is often done for personal aggrandisement
and other narrow ends.
“A political
culture based on religious affiliation cannot give us good roads, efficient
electricity supply, qualitative education, reliable public health system, etc.
It can only give the religious leaders and their families more private jets,
more private universities and more contracts while the followers continue to
wallow in abject poverty. Directing our followers to focus on religious
affiliation alone is symptomatic of acute desertification of patriotism.
“We appeal
to well-meaning Nigerians to caution CAN leadership on its political
misadventures. Nigerian Muslims and their leaders are not known for making
explosive or provocative statements. Neither are they known for hobnobbing with
people in the corridor of power. CAN has had a field day in that respect for a
very long time. It can no longer enjoy that monopoly. CAN should know when the
ovation is loudest. The world is now a tiny village and nothing is hidden any
longer.
“We confuse
Nigerians when Christian leaders speak and Muslim leaders react or vice versa.
It stokes the fire of religious crisis. It also confuses and embarrasses
political leaders. A more mature way is for us to follow the path of dialogue
based on mutual respect. We need to interface frequently at both high and
grassroots levels. Leaders from both divides should invite one another to their
homes and allow Nigerians to see how they relate cordially. This will boost
peaceful coexistence.
“In a
nutshell, MURIC implores INEC to ignore CAN’s request on the monitoring of 2019
elections. CAN should allow sleeping dogs to lie. Religious leaders must help
in changing this country’s political culture. Merit should be the watchword,
not mediocrity. We must not make demands for the emergence of Christian or
Muslim candidates. We must educate our followers to appreciate transparency,
credibility, integrity and good antecedence in candidates.”
Comments