EKITI APPOINTMENTS: WE DON’T DEAL WITH AMORPHOUS GROUPS

19^th March, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

EKITI APPOINTMENTS:

WE DON’T DEAL WITH AMORPHOUS GROUPS

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reacted to a statement credited to a group called Integrity Leadership Organisation. The group last week faulted MURIC’s complaint about appointments made by the Ekiti State government.

The Islamic human rights organization had complained in a press statement issued on 12^th March, 2019, that only one Muslim had been appointed so far in the major appointments made by the governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

In a follow-up press release signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Tuesday, 19^th March, 2019, MURIC insisted that the Integrity Leadership Organisation had no business interfering in its interface with the Ekiti State government.

“Our complaint was directed at the government of Ekiti State. We have no business with any amorphous group. This matter is not for hirelings to handle. A third party has no explanations to offer when citizens make genuine complaints to government.

“A responsive and responsible government will respond to constructive inquiries. That is transparency, probity and accountability in government. We sincerely hope that the governor of Ekiti State is not being teleguided. It sounds funny to us that an hitherto unknown group will be responding to a genuine concern raised by Muslims.

“Even the response of the Integrity Leadership Organisation failed the integrity test. The group claimed that Muslims are just 5% in Ekiti State. How did they arrive at that figure. Where is the data? What demographic research figures did the group rely on to arrive at that percentage?

“The group also cleverly avoided our allegation that one of the two purported Muslim names was cooked up and that there was only one genuine Muslim on the list. Nothing about this serious infraction was mentioned in the group’s reaction. We also affirm categorically that there are more than enough appointable Muslims of Ekiti State origin who are worthy in both character and learning. We therefore urge the government not to dwell in escapist tactics.

“Finally, we urge Governor Kayode Fayemi to keep sycophants at arm’s length. The governor should put his cards on the table for all to see. Political jobbers as intermediaries between government and the citizenry can bring disastrous consequences. State chief executives should not allow themselves to be held captive by faceless groups. We remind the amiable governor that surrogate rule is a threat to democracy. We assure the governor that Muslims in Ekiti State are eagerly awaiting his next list of appointments”.            

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)