Stakeholders in the Muslim Community in Oyo State have warned Governor Seyi Makinde to desist from what they describe as efforts to frustrate Muslim leaders in the state through the Department of State Security.
The stakeholders under the aegis of Concerned Muslim Scholars in Nigeria made the call at a press conference in Ibadan on Wednesday.
Recall that in December, the DSS had invited the Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Professor Ishaq Lakin Akintola over recent comments on the current administration in the state. The group noted that this invitation is an attempt to harass the foremost muslim rights activist.
They noted that their call on the Governor is to ensure peaceful religious co-existence in the country, specifically in the South Western part.
A statement released at the end of the press conference read in part:
“We observed with dismay the weaponization of religion by some elements within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) campaigning that Christians should not vote for Muslims in the forthcoming presidential and other elections. This will not augur well for a country yearning for unity of purpose and good governance. It is unfortunate that religious leaders that should be busy propagating righteousness are now being drawn full blown to murky waters of partisan politics. While we frown at some Muslims groups going the way of the aforementioned CAN elements, we outrightly condemn some Muslim groups campaigning that Muslims should not carry out their civic responsibility of going out to vote candidate of their choice. We hereby aligned with the position of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria that all Muslims should go out and vote for candidates that can guarantee their fundamental human rights without discrimination and for the good governance of the Country.
“Our attention was drawn to the purported invitation of the Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Professor Ishaq Lakin Akintola, on Friday, December 16, 2022, by someone claiming to be calling from Ibadan office of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) over a press statement criticising the government of Oyo State over infringement on the rights of Muslims especially Muslim Students.
“In the press statement, the vibrant, dogged Muslim and human rights activist, Prof. Akintola exposed how Muslim students and teachers were forced to join the organised Christmas carol in St. Annes School 1 Senior, St Annes School 2, and St Annes Junior School, Molete, Ibadan under the present administration in Oyo State. Also, MURIC in the press statement warned Muslims and other voters to be wary of any government operating anti-Islamic/Muslim agenda.
“For us at the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria and Political Awareness Group in South West Nigeria, it is shocking that the DSS will allow itself to be used as a political tool to silence the voice of truth and intimidate civil rights activist. As they say, the truth is always bitter.
“The invitation we got to know was at the instance of the State government to harass and shut out the MURIC Director who has always been fighting for Muslims rights over the last two decades. Few examples of Muslims rights violation under Governor Makinde’s watch are – Muslim applicants attending a screening exercise for appointment were made to answer questions on the Bible in August 2020. Again, under Makinde’s watch, Muslim teachers were forced to attend a screening exercise on Salah day in July 2022. Three Muslims judges awaiting governors endorsement died in quick succession in a questionable circumstances and were replaced by Christians. Lopsidedness in government appointment and empowerments against the Muslim majority population
“Most recently, under Governor Makinde’s watch, Muslim students were forced to attend the crusade of a German Christian crusader, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda in November 2021 and Oyo State public schools were used for the crusade during school hours.
“These and more are Makinde’s offences against Muslims that MURIC seeks to correct but instead of probing these claims and sanctioning erring defaulting officials, the government emboldened them and sought to use the DSS to harass MURIC director. No, this is very wrong and won’t work. Or does the governor want to prove the ignorance of the religious infractions in his state against Muslims ? The invitation of Professor Akintola is an intimidation taken too far.
“We also appeal to the DSS to be professional and understand that religious matters are very sensitive and volatile. The DSS should not be used to test the strength of Muslims in the South-West as an injustice against the MURIC director would be considered an attack on Muslims in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. The security outfit should also remember its purposes of creation and not dabble into matters that could attract hatred to the security outfit.
“We must state here that having a Christian Governor is not exactly the problem. The religion of Seyi Makinde won’t be anybody’s business if he accords Muslims their rights and ensure equity. We challenge the DSS to make public what exactly the allegations against Professor Akintola if not his dogged fights for Muslims rights which he has been going about it through lawful means.
“Also, it is worrisome that the DSS wants the Professor to leave Lagos where he resides to answer queries in Ibadan despite several logistics encumbrances plaguing the country. For someone whose life has been threatened severally, it may be unintelligent to ask him to travel for such questioning. What happens to the DSS arms in Lagos ? Or is it the DSS that is in Oyo State that has been compromised and willing to play the cards of the Oyo State governor ? Nothing must happen to Professor Akintola !. He has not committed any offence known to law by exposing the anti-Muslim developments in Oyo State.
“We are also aware that the Oyo State Chapter of MURIC has approached the court to seek redress and protect the fundamental rights of Professor Akintola. This shouldn’t have been necessary if the DSS acted responsibly and shunned the victimisation of the Muslim rights vocalist. We urge the DSS to respect the rule of law by not acting funny through the forceful arrest of Professor Akintola or illegal invasion of his residence.
“Why is it that MURIC is the target of the DSS and the Christianity extra favoured government in Oyo State ? Could it be because the organisation is considered one of the leading voices for Muslims ? If the intention of the DSS and government is to silence Muslims, it won’t work. Muslims will do everything possible to protect their rights and their representatives.
“Gentlemen of the press, we also like to express our reservations about the bias of DSS as a body. It is saddening that despite the criticisms and attacking statements by leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria, many of its leaders aren’t summoned. They walk freely and fight for their rights and even wrongs (divisive political statements) without let or hinderance. If this continues, we will have no choice but to call for a change of the leadership of the DSS to one that will promote neutrality and be objective in its dealings.
“We call on Governor Makinde not to abuse power and allow democracy to thrive and stop intimidating Professor Akintola with state actors. One of the beauties of democracy is that it allows criticisms, Professor Akintola or any other Nigerian should not be denied that benefit.
“We also call on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on DSS and the state government so that no harm must touch Prof Akintola and Muslims won’t fold their hands to allow injustice.”
