In advance of the general election in 2023, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has instructed Nigerians to avoid participating in any sort of protest.
This was stated in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja by Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of MURIC.
“Recently, the Nigerian Central Bank announced intentions to revamp the national currency. The older N1,000, N500, and N200 denomination notes, in particular, were requested to be turned in by the citizens.
“Unfortunately, the continuing naira swap turned into a minefield, especially because it was coupled with a persistent fuel shortage.
‘’The timing of the exercise has led us to suspect a grand provocation ploy as Nigerians who surrendered their old naira notes were later denied access to both the old and the new. This ugly development led to widespread hunger and general suffering.
“The tendency is for the atmosphere to become explosive and already there have been pockets of demonstrations in one or two places, particularly in the South West,’’ Akintola said.
He added: ‘’However, there is a strong suspicion that naira swap and the attendant artificial scarcity are booby traps aimed at goading Nigerians to anger. They expect the youth to troop to the streets.
“We must not fall for it. This is the grand plan of some selfish political shenanigans and capitalist comprador bourgeoisie whose ambition is to hold the masses in their vice grip till kingdom come.
Greedy bank officials have leveraged the situation by hoarding the new naira notes and turning it into an opportunity for self-aggrandizement. It is the height of sadism.
“These wicked political charlatans aim to manipulate the crisis once demonstrations begin. They plan to hijack the demonstrations, turn them into a viciously violent exercise and attack certain public figures as well as public properties.
“It is at this point that they plan to announce an indefinite postponement of the general elections and introduce an interim government. A military coup may also be on the table if the plan for an interim government fails to work.
“We, therefore appeal to Nigerians to eschew public protest in all its ramifications. The election is just sixteen days away. If we are patient, we will be able to peacefully elect leaders of our choice.
‘’On the other hand, we may play into the hands of agents provocateurs and end up with an interim government or a military coup d’etat. But the election is just a stone’s throw away. Therefore, let us be peaceful and endure until Feb. 25.
“On a last note, we advise the army to keep off. Involvement in politics is antithetical to professionalism in the military.
”Nigeria has more than enough security challenges to keep the army busy and any attempt to delve into politics will be like chewing more than the military can swallow. It will only compound the country’s problems”.
