The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has tackled Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) for criticising the appointment of Muslims as ministers of Interior and Defence by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC, in a statement on Friday accused MURIC of whipping up religious sentiment.
“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?” it said.
“The last time we checked, there was no single record of HURIWA seeing anything good in Muslims. HURIWA and the rest of the Nigerian civil society clapped by the ringside each time the elites stigmatised and persecuted Muslims. Pray, what did HURIWA say when a whole law graduate was disallowed from being called to bar over a ridiculous excuse?
“What has HURIWA or any member of civil society said concerning the denial of education for innocent Muslim school girls over an ordinary headscarf? Is it not a manifestation of double standard for a civil society that looks the other way as Muslims face daily persecution to raise hell and brimstone because Muslims get what is their right?
“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.
“We appeal to Nigerians to allow this government to settle down. The same Buhari who was accused of being too slow has come up with a ministerial cabinet when about twenty governors are yet to appoint their commissioners.
“We also have a #Revolutionnow group clamouring for forceful change of government when even that government has not settled down.
“What yardstick can you use to deny a student promotion to the next class when no teaching or examination has taken place? People are just coming up with all sorts of preconceived ideas.
“Our problem in this country is perception. We urge Nigerians to get rid of retrogressive perceptions, negative thoughts, ill-will and bad faith. Activism must not be allergic to appreciation of performance and good governance.
“To be taken seriously, members of civil society must not concentrate on fault-finding alone, we must also find time to commend government when it does something right.”
