MURIC Urges Unity and Justice as Nigeria Marks 66th Independence Anniversary
As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State chapter, has called for a renewed commitment to peace, justice, unity, patriotism and responsible citizenship.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan, the group's state general secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, congratulated the government and people of Nigeria, noting that independence was not just a historical event but "a continuing responsibility."
He said the freedom inherited from past generations imposes on every generation the duty to safeguard national unity, protect sovereignty, advance justice and build a society where all citizens can live with dignity, security and hope.
Agunbiade described Nigeria as a country abundantly endowed with human and natural resources and blessed with remarkable cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. He stressed that this diversity should not divide the nation but should be turned into a source of strength through mutual respect, tolerance, justice and peaceful coexistence.
MURIC urged governments at all levels to keep the welfare, security and dignity of citizens at the heart of governance. It also advised political leaders and public officials to treat public office as a trust and to carry out their duties with accountability, fairness and compassion.
With the country gradually moving towards the 2027 general elections, the group appealed to all political actors, aspirants, candidates, supporters and every Nigerian to embrace democratic maturity. It noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for March 6, 2027.
MURIC warned that elections must not become a period of hatred, violence, intimidation or destruction, and that political differences should not be allowed to ruin relationships that have existed for generations. It said no political contest is worth the blood of any Nigerian and that no political ambition should be permitted to tear apart the bonds of brotherhood, neighbourhood and national unity.
The organisation called on political parties and their supporters to operate within the law. It also urged security agencies, electoral authorities, the media, religious leaders, traditional institutions and civil society organisations to play their parts 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," Agunbiade said. He added that the ballot must be respected and that the outcome of a properly conducted electoral process must be addressed through lawful and constitutional means, stressing that political disagreement must never become a licence for violence.
MURIC also advised Nigerians to reject hate speech, religious incitement, ethnic provocation, fake news and inflammatory propaganda. "We must disagree without becoming enemies. We must compete without destroying one another. We must campaign without demonising our fellow citizens," it said.
The group reminded Nigerians that the country belongs to all, noting that Muslims and Christians, northerners and southerners, and people of different ethnic groups, political persuasions and social backgrounds are all 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.
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