An Islamic organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has slammed the June 12 protesters in the Southern part of the country, describing them as rebels and ingrates who are a misfortune to the country.
June 12 protests rocked the South and other parts of the country chanting “Buhari must go”, but MURIC in reaction to the development said the
protesters are “certificated ingrates, rebellious subjects and articulated enemies of peace.”
In a statement which was released to the press, MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola said protesters have no moral justification to protest since it was President Muhammadu Buhari that officially recognised the ill-fated June 12 as democracy day out of all his predecessors in office.
In a statement, titled: “Were Not Ten Cleansed? Where Are The Nine said: “Some Nigerians in the Southern part of the country, particularly the South West marked Democracy Day on Saturday, June 12, 2021 with demonstrations. Although in negligible numbers, the protests took place in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan and a few other places.
MURIC commended security agents for their maturity in the handling of protests while he insisted that protesters are certificated ingrates.
“June 12 should be a day for all Nigerians to celebrate Chief M.K.O. Abiola for his sacrifices on the altar of democracy. He was the man who paid the supreme sacrifice after winning the presidential election held on June 12, 1993 which was criminally annulled by the military.
“The Nigerian civil society, including MURIC, had been clamouring for the official recognition of that day as Democracy Day but none of our past rulers listened, not even Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who hails from the same city of Abeokuta like M.K.O. The former had all the chance in the world to declare June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day having ruled for eight years (1999 – 2007) but he bluntly refused to do so.
“It was a Northerner, a Fulani, who eventually proclaimed June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. It is our contention that for that alone, the people of the South West should show gratitude to Buhari. But what do we see?
Akintola, however, stated that the protesters “definitely missed the point and lost their bearing because Nigerians, particularly people of the South West, should be showing gratitude to Buhari for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day instead of partaking in an unnecessary protest.”
He, therefore, called on President Buhari to ignore those who are ungrateful to him, urging him to continue his good works and reflect on the words of Allah where He says in Al-Qur’an 4:147, “What does Allah stand to gain if you show gratitude and belief? Allah is the One who shows gratitude (i.e. Allah is the One who knows how to reward good deeds) and He knows everything.”
“Therefore, our message to Mr. President is this: Just continue your good works. Expect no gratitude from some Nigerians. But many others appreciate you. Most importantly, Allah will definitely reward you here in this world and yaom al-Qiyamah (in the Hereafter),” the director advised.
