By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Association of South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria (ASSMUN) has risen to be part of wide condemnations of a “faceless” group called the O’odua Isedale-Muslim-Christian Council (OIMCC), which recently issued a statement in which it called Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, and Christian Association of Nigeria ‘terrorists’
The Association, which was speaking from the Palace of Otaru of Auchi, spoke through a statement jointly signed by Alhaji Nasir Uhor JP, Chairman and Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu Deputy Chairman and Prince Jibril Akpanim, its Secretary General
“We the leaders of the Association of South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, (ASSMUN), umbrella body of Muslims in the South South geopolitical region of Nigeria, unequivocally take strong exceptions to the content of the press release credited to O’odua Isedale-Muslim-Christian-Council-OIMUCCA who claim to be speaking on behalf of its members in South Western region of Nigeria. This statement according to the press release was the summary of their meeting held in Ile Ife on 25th August, 2023.
“In as much as we are not against any organisation(s) purporting to defend their members against any perceive threat to life and properties, we are particularly concerned with the unsubstantiated allegations against Muslims, MURIC and in particular Ishaq Akintola in the aforementioned statement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we refer to paragraph 10 of the statement… inter alia, “these elements have some terrorists within them who view everything from the prism of religion. One Ishaq Akintola is notorious for his penchant for violence, provocation and filthy and unislamic posturing. He is sponsored by violent extremists and his desperation to see Yorubaland boil and spill over into blood well known and consciously pursued by him.”
“As a fellow up to the allegations, they further threatened to crush their targeted enemies and their families as stated in Paragraph 11… “we resolve that henceforth, we are going to take our destiny into hands as young Yoruba people across the world to crush these agents of the devil in Yorubaland before it is too late.”
“Let us remind all at this point that Islam is a peaceful religion and the unjust killing of an individual is like killing a whole nation. Ishaq Akintola, a very dedicated Muslim and leader of MURIC, is working tirelessly for the defense of Muslims right in Nigeria and by extension to the less privilege irrespective of religious affiliations and tribes.
“From the OIMUCC statement, it is obvious that our revered Ishaq Akintola is their target. The weighty allegations against him is like giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
“The Federal and State government should expedite actions, using the various security agencies to bring those involved to book before they carry out their dastardly threat.
“MURIC stands for peace and dialogue as epitomized in its motto..” dialogue not violence.”
“This peaceful disposition should not be taken for cowardice by any group, real or fake.
“We stand united with MURIC and Muslims communities across the country to tell the so-called OIMUCC that nothing in any guise should happen to Prof Ishaq Akintola or any Muslim in the South West, an injury to one is injury to all.”
