Press Release: ID UL-MAWLUD MESSAGE:APRIL 2007 ELECTIONS: CALL FOR POLITICAL TOLERANCE 2nd April 2007

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) felicitates with all Nigerians and foreigners in the country on the occasion of the Maulud Nabiyy (i.e. Birthday of Prophet Muhammad).

We note with serious concern the drift towards anarchy in the political arena as Nigeria prepares for the transition from civil rule to civil rule. Rallies of opposition parties have been violently disrupted. The Action Congress rally in Aja (Lagos State) was attacked by hoodlums brandishing dangerous weapons. Many people were reportedly shot. Aregbesola’s convoy was viciously attacked in Okuku, Oshun State while his house in Ilesha was raided and destroyed by thugs. Buhari’s rally was attacked at Akure in Ondo State. Attempts are also being made by the ruling party to frame opposition candidates with false charges of gun-running, corruption, etc.

Reports of strong arm tactics, deprival of opposition of use of facilities like rally ground after proper booking, the creation of bottle-necks in the way of opposition programmes and using the airports and airlines to frustrate the movement of opposition to and fro rallies are danger signals capable of truncating the democratic process.

MURIC charges the ruling party to exhibit political tolerance and eschew violence and vindictiveness. Politics is all about living and letting live. We warn the military to keep off Nigerian politics. It is an open secret that the worst civilian government is better than the best military regime. Military rule is out of vogue and Nigerians have no stomach for any military intervention at the moment. More than thirty years of military rule in Nigeria has brought economic misery, educational tragedy, cultism, rise in crimes, political stagnation and ruination to infrastructure. The army must remain in the barracks.

Dr. Is-haq Akintola
DIRECTOR