20th April, 2023
PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC CONDEMNS ATTACK ON INEC NATIONAL COMMISSIONER PROF ABDULLAHI ABDU ZURU
The Sokoto State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the attack by hoodlums on Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, a national commissioner of INEC.
A statement issued by the Sokoto branch chairman, Barrister Muhammad Mansur Aliyu Esq. reads:
MURIC Sokoto chapter has watched with great shock and gloom the viral video trending on social media, that contains dastardly acts of harassment and humiliation perpetrated by some barbaric and heartless political thugs on the personality of Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru during the collation of results of Adamawa State governorship supplementary election conducted on Saturday 16th April 2023.
Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru who was the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, a onetime Vice-Chancellor of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi State, is an incorruptible person. He was a onetime president of Chemical Society of Nigeria, a complete gentleman, a renowned researcher, a professor of Chemistry who has produced many professors and still counting, a rare gem and an epitome of modesty and humility.
He was attacked few hours after Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Hudu Ari unlawfully declared Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the governor-elect in Saturday’s supplementary election before the conclusion of the collation process.
Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru who was one of the INEC National Commissioners deployed to supervise the supplementary elections, but while the processes were ongoing, Barrister Hudu Ari made the said unlawful declaration which led to the attack on Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, despite the fact that from the facts available, <https://mobile.twitter.com/I_Am_Ilemona/status/1647674822963462144> Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru was reported to have confronted the REC about the illegal declaration of results but regrettably and most annoyingly the Professor was attacked by the said thugs and hoodlums in the most dishonourable and debasing manner that have robbed him his dignity.
While MURIC Sokoto Branch condemns the act of Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Hudu Ari who usurped the function of the Returning Officer and declared election results before completing the process; MURIC also in the strongest and unequivocal terms condemns the dastardly attack on Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru by political thugs.
MURIC demands that INEC should go beyond condemning the attack on its national commissioner, by formally writing and demanding that the Federal Government and IGP should take over the investigation and prosecution of the attackers from Adamawa State Police Command to Force Headquarters Abuja and they should be prosecuted accordingly under the Violence Against Persons Act 2015 to serve as deterrent to others.
Though MURIC is aware of the fact that Adamawa CP had vowed to arrest the attackers of Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, <https://leadership.ng/adamawa-cp-vows-to-arrest-attackers-of-inec-commissioner-others/> however, the investigation of a case of this nature should be done in conjunction with the Force Headquarters in order to avoid compromise and to unmask those behind the attack.
SIGNED
Muhammad Mansur Aliyu Esq.
Chairman,
MURIC,
Sokoto Branch.
