The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has disagreed with Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) over alleged favouritism of Muslims as ministers of Interior and Defence by President Muhammadu Buhari.
MURIC in a statement at the weekend by its Director and Founder, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, described HURIWA’s comment as divisive, subjective, emotion-driven and therefore unacceptable.
Continuing, MURIC said, “HURIWA is whipping up religious sentiment and this is least expected of a ‘secular’ human rights organization. This kind of statement is capable of dividing HURIWA itself unless the body is telling us that it is an all-Christian and anti-Muslim organisation.
“Human rights groups and individuals within civil society need to weigh their words. You cannot afford to be one-sided in matters of religion and ethnicity particularly in a charged atmosphere like Nigeria. We take serious objection to the stereotyping of Muslim ministers by HURIWA. Or is the group telling us that Muslims do not deserve human rights?”
Speaking further, MURIC said, “When did we adopt religious leaning as the standard for picking ministers for a particular portfolio? When will Nigerians grow up? Merit should be the criterion, not the church, mosque or shrine.”
The group however appealed to Nigerians to allow the present administration settle down saying the same Buhari who was accused of being too slow has come up with a ministerial cabinet when about 20 governors are yet to appoint their commissioners.
“MURIC invites civil society to allow the Buhari administration to settle down. Human rights groups in particular should speak out only in good conscience. Dancing to the gallery will compel civil society to hide the truth. They must realise that they are not under any obligation to please any opposition. We advise HURIWA not to fall into the temptation of Islam-bashing as this will only earn the organization the distrust of Muslims throughout the country. Finally, we charge Nigerians to discountenance perception and to make merit the standard for the occupation of public office, not religious persuasion.”
