CSO tackles MURIC, says Muslim cannot succeed Buhari

May 17, 2021 8:25 pm

PRESIDENT BUHARI VIRTUAL LAUNCH OF $890M GLOBAL FUND 0A President Muhammadu Buhari during the virtual launch $890m global fund grants to fight HIV, TB, Malaria, and Resilient and Sustainable advancement system for Health held at the State House Council Chambas. Photo; Sunday Aghaeze. March 18 2021

The Nigeria Equity Group (NEG), a civil society organisation, has faulted the recent call by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) for a Yoruba Muslim to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

MURIC had argued that three Yoruba Christians have “occupied Aso Rock villa”, but not a single Yoruba Muslim has held the position of president or vice-president since independence.

But Emeka Nwosu, convener of NEG, in a statement, said MURIC’s position goes against the principles of rotation of power to ensure equity and fairness in the polity.

The group noted that since the current president is a Muslim from the north, equity demands the next president should be a Christian from the south.

“We have noted with concern the call by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), for a Yoruba Muslim to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023,” the statement reads.

“While the Nigeria Equity Group (NEG) appreciates the concerns of the learned Prof, and the MURIC, on the need for equity, justice and fairness in political and economic opportunities for all groups, the issue of the 2023 is beyond what the South West alone can decide.

“It may be pertinent to state here for the umpteenth time that the practice of rotational presidency between the North and South of the country was introduced by the political class to address the imbalance in the polity among the various groups in the country, which include ethnicity and religion.

“Giving that the current President is a Muslim and from the North, fairness, justice and equity demand that, based on the principles of rotation of power between the North and South, the next president should be a Christian from the South.

“The position of the NEG is that it would be against the rule of natural justice, equity and fairness, that another Muslim should succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

“For emphasis, we reiterate that the only way to guarantee enduring peace, progress and stability in Nigeria is for the next President to be a Christian from the South.”