Why Has No Yoruba Muslim Ever Occupied Aso Rock? - MURIC Says

 

PRESS RELEASE:

2023: WHY HAS NO YORUBA MUSLIM EVER OCCUPIED ASO ROCK? – MURIC

The Nigerian Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has thrown a question at the Nigerian political elite, particularly Yoruba leaders. The Islamic human rights body wants to know why no single Yoruba Muslim has ever occupied Aso Rock from independence to date. MURIC argued that all Yoruba heads of state have been Christians all along. To this end, the group has tabled a request for a Yoruba Muslim president come 2023.

In a statement issued on Friday, 26th February, 2021, the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, contended that Yoruba Muslims have been at the receiving end of political and religious persecution for too long. He therefore opined that the time is ripe for a Yoruba Muslim president to emerge in Nigeria in the interest of fairness and equity.

The declaration reads:

“Yoruba Muslims have been at the receiving quit of political and spiritual persecution for a very long time. Muslim job seekers are requested to bring letters of recommendation from church buildings. Vacancies are shared in the churches to the detriment of Muslim job seekers. Yoruba Muslims are marginalised in political appointments both on the country and federal degrees.

“For example, a cursory look at the distribution of political posts in South Western states these days will reveal heavy lop-sidedness in favour of Yoruba Christians. Only four of the fourteen commissioners in Oyo and Ogun States are Muslims. Ondo and Ekiti states are worse. Governor Fayemi gave Muslims only two commissioners out of fourteen. There were most effective two Muslim commissioners in Governor Akeredolu’s cabinet before he dissolved it  days in the past.

“At the ministerial degree, let us cite the example of ex-President Jonathan’s duration. All the six ministers appointed by Jonathan from the South West have been Christians. This lop-sidedness made the Muslims visit the ex-president in Aso Rock wherein he promised to cope with the difficulty. This caused him giving Muslims two ministers out of six earlier than the give up of his term.

“But why need to we usually move cap in hand to beg for crumbs from the desk? Are Yoruba Muslims 1/3 class or 2nd elegance residents? Are we now not same before the law? Are the dividends of democracy no longer imagined to pass round? Must political leadership be the unique assets of Yoruba human beings of a selected faith? It ought to no longer be so. It is our strong perception that the narrative will best change while a Yoruba Muslim occupies Aso Rock. Who feels it is aware of it.

“As at today best one country in Yorubaland offers surely defined professional popularity to woman Muslim students and this is Osun State. Lagos allows it with out an official declaration backing the permission however at the least it assessments overzealous faculty teachers who persecute users of hijab. Muslims are on their very own in other states as they face continual intimidation, oppression and persecution in the faculties.

“Although the Nigerian constitution offers Muslims the legal backing for use of hijab (Section 38 (i) (ii), Abuja continues to play the ostrich as Yoruba Muslims face spiritual persecution. We accept as true with the centre can pay a few interest if a Yoruba Muslim receives to Aso Rock.

“But while will that be? Have Yoruba human beings not tasted strength at the center earlier than? The answer is within the affirmative. Yorubas were heads of state, president and vice chairman however all those who were given there have continually been Christians.

“Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a Yoruba Christian, changed into navy head of country for four years (1975 – 79). Chief Earnest Shonekan, also a Christian, became intervening time head of kingdom for a brief period. Obasanjo back as a civilian president in 1999 to 2007. Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a Yoruba Christian pastor, is presently the vp.

“So we've got had three Christians of Yoruba extraction in Aso Rock at distinct times. It is therefore herbal to ask why there hasn’t been any Yoruba Muslim politician in Aso Rock all these years, particularly from 1979 thus far? President Buhari’s tenure leads to 2023 and the South West is already warming up. Will it still be honest for any other Christian from the South West to occupy Aso Rock come 2023?

“MURIC is calling the political elites from the region to speak up. They were grossly unjust to Muslims inside the location. It is also a clarion call for Yoruba Muslims to wake up from their slumber, specifically the politicians. Those who are succesful ought to come forward. We are not talking approximately any specific party. Muslim politicians should pop out from their hiding inside the ruling party, the main opposition celebration and different political events. Young Muslims should also claim their aspirations. We need to listen them claim their intentions to contest for the best role inside the land.

“MURIC will not lean toward any political birthday celebration. It is a level gambling discipline. All we need is for Muslim politicians to come out and rub shoulders with other applicants. We will go the bridge whilst we get there. We aren't blind to allegation of political interest being levelled at us and we aren't bothered.

“We will continue to sensitise Muslims to expose hobby in politics. We accept as true with that apolitical Muslims will be ruled by way of politicians who hate Muslims. Simply placed, Muslims who hate politics and who refuse to reveal hobby in politics could be dominated by politicians who hate Muslims. Therefore, it's far mandatory for Muslims to show hobby in politics. For us, it is ‘partake or perish’.

“Islam is a complete way of life. It includes science, education, history, arithmetic, economics, fitness, politics, and so on. You can not separate Islam from politics. Yoruba Muslims have to listen to the voice of fact. It is their lackadaisical attitude to politics that has allowed others to control their destiny. It is now time for them to take their future in their personal arms.

“Our message to all political events is loud and clear. Yoruba Muslims will no longer help any non-Muslim presidential candidate recommend via any political celebration. To our brothers in the North, we call for cohesion for a Yoruba Muslim presidential candidate from any political party.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)