17th December, 2015,
PRESS RELEASE:
BAN ON WOMEN IN HIJAB FROM LG POLL:
IT IS ULTRA VIRES
The Ekiti State Independent Electoral
Commission (EKSIEC) yesterday banned women in hijab from partaking in the local
government elections taking place on Saturday.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
condemns this action. It is illegal, unconstitutional and therefore untenable. We
put it to EKSIEC that its action is ultra vires and cannot stand the test of
law. It is also provocation of the highest order and therefore quite unexpected
of a mature and responsible authority.
Coming just 48 hours to the commencement
of voting, the government of Ayodele Fayose has marked itself out as a
confusionist and an undisguised anarchist. Most importantly, Fayose has simply
decided to finish the dirty job of a hatchet man, the hangsman specially designated
to victimize, oppress and dehumanize Ekiti Muslims, a stinking job which he
started since he became governor in Ekiti State.
It will be recalled that Fayose formed
an all-Christian government after assumption of office earlier this year. His
open bigotry and untethered hatred for Muslims makes him the governor with the
worst record of Christian-Muslim relations Nigeria ever had.
Fayose has completely shut out Muslims
who have a very large population in the state from his government. His deputy
governor, secretary to the state government, all 14 commissioners, all 26
permanent secretaries are all Christians. Little wonder therefore that Fayose had no
qualms stigmatizing Muslims, marginalizing them and disenfranchising them.
With his latest action, Fayose has
proved to the whole world that he lacks vision, suffers from poverty of dignity
and he is in dire need of internship in exemplary leadership.
We charge the Muslims of Ekiti State not to
allow Fayose to intimidate them. Any election from which any section of the
population is banned without having committed any offence cannot stand in law.
It is a kangaroo election.
Nonetheless, we advocate submission to the
rule of law. Ekiti Muslims are advised to remain peaceful and law abiding.
EKSIEC has erred in law and the Muslims of the state must challenge this
draconian declaration in a competent court of the land. Allah-given fundamental
rights of Muslim women in Ekiti must be enforced via peaceful and
constitutional means. The courts will decide.
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
08182119714
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
08182119714
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