An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has berated the Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed for making treasonable remarks on Channels Television.
The group argued that Datti Baba Ahmed’s speech represented a direct call for insurrection and military coup. This, according to the group, does not qualify him for a true democrat. MURIC called on all true democrats to protect the mandate given to the democratically elected duo of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
This was disclosed on Wednesday, 29th March, 2023 by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
His full statement :
“The vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed made provocative and treasonable remarks on Channels Television station on Wednesday, 22nd March, 2023. He said swearing in President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be tantamount to inviting the military to take over the affairs of Nigeria.
“MURIC takes this remark with a pinch of salt. It is reckless, despicable and irresponsible. It represents a direct call for insurrection and military coup. No true democrat should utter such a statement. It is a mark of desperation. The security agencies will be failing in their duties if they do not caution him and others like him.
“This transition period is very sensitive. Nobody should be taken for granted. Bad losers are toxic. They should not be allowed to pollute the minds of Nigerians. They are presently desperate because they know that their movement will fritter away in a matter of months unless they snatch power at the centre or cause a bloody revolution now. Allah forbid.
“Datti Baba Ahmed and his co-travellers must be cautioned for their several attempts to coerce the judiciary. The only lawful procedure for changing government is through elections and that has taken place. Any other method is unlawful, illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional. These people should learn how to respect due process and the rule of law. They should not be encouraging street demonstrations when the issue at stake is already in court
“We call on the military to ignore the rantings of Datti Ahmed and his cohorts. No soldier should be deceived into attempting a coup d’etat. It is already out of fashion. Nigerians have seen its weakness and the world is sick and tired of it. Don’t even think of it.
“By the same token, we condemn the staging of demonstrations against the outcome of the elections. The demonstrations are precursors to the outbreak of violence. We have every reason to believe that they are being sponsored by Trumpists within the country, particularly opponents of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“MURIC calls on true democrats who supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket ab initio, politicians, religious leaders, students, right-thinking ideologues, etc, to stand up and be counted. It is not over until it is over. We must speak up and take legitimate actions.
“Ibn Taimiyyah’s poser becomes germane here. He asked, ‘If I remain silent and you remain silent, then who will teach the ignorant?’ We must rise to the occasion before insurrectionists truncate the best presidential combination Nigeria ever had. Observers will think they are right if it is their voices alone they can hear. We must not be caught napping. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.”
