25th February, 2019
PRESS RELEASE:
DON’T INTERFERE IN ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS:
MURIC CAUTIONS FOREIGN EMBASSIES
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned foreign embassies in the country not to interfere in the ongoing announcement of results of Nigeria’s general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission began announcing results today Monday, 25th Februay, 2019 around 12 noon.
MURIC, an Islamic human rights organization handed down the warning in a press statement issued on Monday afternoon, 25th Februay, 2019. The statement was signed by the Founder and Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
“We have been reliably informed that a former Nigerian high commissioner to Canada has been contracted by the main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to spread false propaganda among foreign envoys particularly the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union with a view to discrediting the electoral process. The plan is to get these foreign embassies to propose a stoppage of the announcement of results which is already ongoing under the excuse of widespread violence.
“This will be a disservice to the Nigerian people, a subversion of democratic process and a diplomatic coup against Rousseau’s General Will.
“The elections were generally free, fair and peaceful. There were only pockets of violence in two out of 36 states (Rivers and Lagos). Even that of Lagos was infinitesimally insignificant as it was curtailed within minutes.
“We call on the ambassadors of US, UK and EU not to allow themselves to be used as tools by looters and deceptive politicians. It is interesting that those attempting to deceive the foreign diplomats are the same people who are defending corrupt judges, the same people who oppose the use of card readers and the same people who oppose action against ballot box snatchers. Why? It is simply because they are adept at such games. Western diplomats should avoid becoming willing tools in the hands of desperate politicians.
“Finally, we assert that Nigerians wish to be left alone to handle their elections. We therefore appeal to foreign diplomats to respect our values and norms as a people by steering clear of the announcement of results. We have succeeded in holding a peaceful, free and fair election. It will amount to a brutal rape on democracy for Western diplomats to intervene during the announcement of results”.
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
