The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Federal Government (FG) of favouring Christians over Muslims, citing the ongoing construction of a N25 billion ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as well as the distribution of relief funds to victims of violence in parts of the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, the group’s Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, said the development had raised concerns among Nigerian Muslims, alleging that government actions reflect unequal treatment along religious lines.
MURIC noted that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), recently flagged off the construction of the ecumenical chapel and pilgrimage centre at the Abuja airport. The group questioned the rationale behind the project and called for transparency, insisting that Muslims deserve equal consideration in national infrastructure and religious representation.
The organisation also criticised the approval of N2 billion in relief funds for victims of violence in Plateau State, arguing that similar gestures had not been extended to victims in other affected states such as Borno State, Sokoto State, Zamfara State, Kebbi State and Kwara State.
According to MURIC, the disparity in relief allocation raises questions about fairness and inclusivity, particularly in regions that have also suffered prolonged insecurity and violence.
The group further alleged that about N1.2 billion was distributed across the 19 northern states ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Kabir celebrations, though it acknowledged that the source of the funds could not be independently verified.
MURIC called on the Federal Government to address what it described as “preferential treatment” and urged authorities to allocate land and funding for the development of a grand national mosque comparable to the chapel project.
