The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected the new label for Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), by the Kaduna State Government, which described the group as an insurgent group.
THEWILL recalls that the State Government, on Monday, in a White Paper released by the state also said the detained Shiite leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, will be held responsible for all acts carried out by the group’s members.
“For all intent and purpose, the IMN is an insurgent group and ought to be treated as such,” the government said in the white paper.
“Members of the IMN owe absolute loyalty to Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
“He therefore bears responsibility for all the acts of lawlessness committed by the organisation and should therefore be held responsible, fully investigated and prosecuted.”
However, responding to the white paper, MURIC insisted that the new declaration is nothing short of calling a dog a bad name in other to hang it.
“Kaduna state government is being economical with the truth, killing a fly with a sledge hammer and engaging in executive tyranny,” MURIC said.
“This is a very dangerous dimension. Coming shortly after a competent court of law ordered the release of the IMN leader, Shaykh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky from detention, this stigmatization is just another attempt by the state government to jump the gun.
“The declaration is short in equity, long in injustice. But we must remember Martin Luther’s warning that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
“Kaduna government is pregnant with ingredients of all the five evils which Chamberlain spoke about, viz, brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution.
“Why is it that the only thing men learn from history is that they learn nothing from history? Kaduna has not learnt anything from the Boko Haram phenomenon.
“Kaduna has chosen to prove both Hegel and Karl Marx right in their postulate that history always repeats itself.
“In conclusion, we appeal to the Kaduna State government to de-label IMN and begin a process of reconciliation and reorientation for its members.
“That is the path of visionary leadership and responsible governance. It is the path of peace. On its own part, IMN must improve its relationship with other Islamic organizations.”
Story by Oputah David
