Independence: MURIC Calls For Unity, Peace, Justice 

As Nigeria celebrates its 66th Independence anniversary, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State chapter haa called for renewed commitment to peace, justice, unity, patriotism and responsible citizenship.

Felicitating with the government and good people of Nigeria, MURIC state’s general secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade in a statement on Thursday in Ibadan, independence was not merely a historical milestone, saying “it is a continuing responsibility.

“The freedom inherited from our forebears places a duty upon every generation to preserve the unity of the nation, protect its sovereignty, promote justice and work towards a society where every citizen can live with dignity, security and hope.

“Nigeria is a nation richly endowed with human and natural resources and blessed with remarkable cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.

“Our diversity should not be a source of division. Rather, it should be transformed into a strength through mutual respect, tolerance, justice and peaceful coexistence.”

MURIC called on governments at all levels to continue to place the welfare, security and dignity of citizens at the centre of governance and urged political leaders and public officials to see public office as a trust and to discharge their responsibilities with accountability, fairness and compassion.

As the country gradually approaches the 2027 general elections, MURIC urged all political actors, aspirants, candidates, supporters and indeed every Nigerian to embrace the spirit of democratic maturity.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for March 6, 2027.

“Elections must never become a season of hatred, violence, intimidation or destruction. Political differences should not be allowed to destroy relationships that have existed for generations.

“No political contest is worth the blood of a Nigerian. No political ambition should be allowed to tear apart the bonds of brotherhood, neighbourhood and national unity.”

MURIC called on political parties and their supporters to conduct their activities within the confines of the law and urged security agencies, electoral authorities, the media, religious leaders, traditional institutions and civil society organisations to play their respective roles in protecting the democratic process and promoting peaceful participation.

“Above all, let the votes of Nigerians speak. Every eligible citizen should be allowed to make his or her choice freely and peacefully.

“The ballot must be respected, and the outcome of a properly conducted electoral process must be handled through lawful and constitutional means. Political disagreement must never become a licence for violence”  he added.

It equalled called on Nigerians to reject hate speech, religious incitement, ethnic provocation, fake news and inflammatory propaganda, saying,”We must disagree without becoming enemies. We must compete without destroying one another. We must campaign without demonising our fellow citizens.”

MURIC also called on Nigerians to remember that Nigeria belongs to all of us, adding that  Muslims and Christians, northerners and southerners, people of different ethnic groups, political persuasions and social backgrounds were stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

“We may differ in our beliefs and political choices, but our shared homeland must remain greater than our differences,” it added.