Muslim Rights Concern of Nigeria (MURIC)
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In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful

Press Release: MURIC REJECTS NEW SULTAN AS LEADER OF NSCIA 4th November 2006

The attention of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has been drawn to the inclination of the secretariat of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) towards inviting the newly appointed Sultan of Sokoto, Brig. General Muhammad Saadu Abubakar III to assume the leadership of the NSCIA. This inclination was reflected in an interview published on page 5 of the Punch of Saturday 4th November, 2006.
For the avoidance of doubt, MURIC wishes to make it very clear that it has no problem with the personality of the new Sultan but fundamental and constitutional issues have rendered the Sultanate irrelevant to the leadership of the NSCIA. We affirm that the constitution of the umbrella organization which ties the Sultanate to the NSCIA and makes the Sultan of Sokoto the only eligible candidate for leadership is anachronistic, archaic and myopic. It infringes upon the Allah-given and fundamental human rights of the rest of Nigerian Muslims who are not of Sokoto origin.
It offends the principle of natural justice. It must also be noted that the NSCIA constitution contravenes both the letter and spirit of the provisions of Qur’an 3:159 and 42:38 which stipulate that affairs among Muslims must be conducted after due consultation. This constitution belongs to the dustbin of history. NSCIA will lose credibility if it doesn’t review this feudal and tyrannical document. The time for this revision is now.
MURIC therefore charges the Secretary General of the NSCIA, Dr. Lateef Adegbite to refrain from inviting the new Sultan to assume leadership of the NSCIA. For the avoidance of doubt, we assert clearly, categorically and unambiguously that no individual, group or even the NSCIA secretariat has the mandate of Nigeria Muslims to appoint the new Sultan as the President-General of the NSCIA.
We also reject the suggestion that the Shehu of Borno as Deputy President General of the NSCIA should assume the role of overall leadership because even the Shehu is a traditional ruler who must obey the wishes of the governor of his state. We call attention to Section 6 Cap 26 of the Laws of Northern Nigeria and the 1999 Chiefs Appointment Law of Sokoto State which empowers the governor to appoint or remove traditional rulers.
The issue, therefore, is not the personalities occupying the positions of Sultan of Sokoto and the Shehu of Borno but the overall interest of Nigerian Muslims, namely: participatory and effective leadership, equal opportunity, justice and fairness to all.
We insist that Dr. Lateef Adegbite as Secretary General of the NSCIA should convene a conference of all Islamic organizations in the country where a leader who is acceptable to all will emerge.

Dr. Is-haq Akintola                                               Abdul Yakeen Williams
DIRECTOR                                                            Public Relations Officer  

 
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