2019: Igbo Muslims resolve to vote for good leadership
*Extols Chief Abdul-Aziz Chibuzor Ude, Sheikh Adam Idoko, HRH Dr. Abdul-Fattah Emetumah, others
SEMON also sought in earnest Igbo Muslims’ unity in order to demand, like other minority existence, for their legitimate rights as citizens in country, and appealed to its members to always be law-abiding citizens of Nigeria and their states and to seek legitimate livelihoods in any part of the land.
The Igbo Muslims in Nigeria are upbeat of their voting strength and have promised to vote for politicians who will also care for them after the 2019 general elections.
This is coming by the Muslim faithful under the auspices of the South Eastern Muslims Organization of Nigeria (SEMON), while declaring support for good leadership in Nigeria and trust in the Federal Government.
After their one-day conference at the National Mosque in Abuja where they did a thorough examination of their past, present and future in Nigeria especially in relation to the socio-political, ethnocentric, economical and religious challenges they faced at the local, state and national levels, SEMON members observed that the greatest challenge they face in Nigeria is their total exclusion from the political scheme in the country.
They said “since the creation of Nigeria in 1914, more than 100 years ago, Igbo Muslims have not benefitted anything from the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
In a 10-ponit communiqué issued at the end of the conference on Sunday 11th November, 2018 and signed by the National Chairman, Muhammad Obiahu Ajah Jr., National Secretary, Abdur-Rahman Nwabueze Urama and National PRO, Yahya Onyekachi Ugwu, SEMON urged Igbo Muslims to join politics to aspire and contest for every possible position during the general elections, including the positions of President, governorship, national and state assemblies, as well as Local Government and Councillorship.
The region religious group described as unacceptable and condemnable a situation where no single appointment is allocated to Igbo Muslims by the federal and state governments after every general election.
SEMON also sought in earnest Igbo Muslims’ unity in order to demand, like other minority existence, for their legitimate rights as citizens in country, and appealed to its members to always be law-abiding citizens of Nigeria and their states and to seek legitimate livelihoods in across the nation.
Participants also commended the leadership of SEMON, the model roles and contributions in the propagation of Islam in Igbo Land by both Igbo and non-Igbo Muslims.
In particular, they praised the good works for Islam and Muslims in Igbo Land by the elderly Igbo Muslims such as late Sheikh Ibrahim Okpani Nwagui, Chief Abdul-Aziz Chibuzor Ude, Sheikh Adam Abdullah Idoko, Sheikh Dr. Haroun Ogbonnia Ajah, HRH Dr. Abdul-Fattah Emetumah and some younger generation exponents.
“Igbo Muslims have been law-abiding and peaceful citizens of Nigeria. We have sustained the fear of God and patriotism, as well as our trust and loyalty in the Federal Government of Nigeria. But we are never known by the leaderships of Nigeria and our states when it comes to appointments. We want the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Governments of our Southeast States to adequately note this high level of political exclusion of Igbo Muslims in Nigeria.
“However, we appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in developing Nigeria. We want him to remain focused in the fight against corruption and to be detribalized in his appointments even while putting merit above other considerations. We pray for him and we promise to always support good leadership for Nigeria. On the same note, we call on the Southeast governors and local government chairmen to protect us and our worship places and to carry us along in the socio-political and economic arrangements for citizens without discrimination against us.
“We pray for the peace and unity of Nigeria and plead with politicians to play by the rules as the 2019 general elections approach. And despite the unfavourable political climate for us in our hometowns and states, we wish Igbo Muslim politicians the best in future general elections,” SEMON stated in the communiqué.
