Press Release:MURIC CONDEMNS INTIMIDATION OF POLITICAL OPPONENTS 17th April 2007

Reports reaching the headquarters of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) from the MURIC Election Monitoring Group (MEMOG) indicate arbitrary arrests and intimidation of opponents of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) immediately before and during Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

This intimidation was not limited to members of the opposition parties alone but extended to their sympathisers and social critics. For example, Imam Lere Yusuf, an Islamic cleric based in Oshogbo, was arrested by men of the State Security Service on charges of gun-running on the eve of the election. Four disposable bombs, six AK 47 rifles and eight bullet-proof vests were reportedly ‘found’ in his house!

In Ile-Ife, Chief Mikail Rotimi Makinde, a House of Representative candidate of the Action Congress was allegedly abducted by gun-totting PDP thugs on Sunday 15th April, 2007. He is yet to be found. The story is the same in several parts of the country where members of the opposition have gone into hiding.

MURIC strongly denounces this Gestapo tactics. We affirm that democracy can only thrive in a free and fair society. We hold firm to our erstwhile principle that justice is the soul of peace. Nobody can deny one and still enjoy the other just as none can eat his cake and have it.

We charge security agents to create a level-playing ground for all. We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission to rise above partisanship. Nigeria must not fail in this attempt to transit from civil to civil rule. Above all, we advise the ruling party to embrace peace and respect the rule of law. Finally, we charge Nigerians to exercise restraint.

Dr. Is-haq Akintola