Muslim Rights Concern joins in the attack on US, UK and EU for meddling in Nigeria's internal affairs

ISLAMIC body the Muslim Rights Concern (Muric) has lashed out at the US and the European Union (EU) over what it described as their strange utterances against the Nigerian government ahead of next weekend's general elections.

In Saturday, Nigerians go to the polls to elect a president and members of the National assembly and then on March 9, elections will hold for state governors and members of the state houses of assembly. In the run-up to the elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused the US, UK and EU of showing tacit support for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Last week, President Buhari's chief of staff Alhaji Abba Kyari warned in a newspaper article that the U,  EU and US have a vested interest in ensuring his principal loses next Saturday's poll. Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, a close ally of President Buhari also added to the tension by warning international election observers that they would leave Nigeria in body bags if they interfered with the process.

Adding its voice to the matter, Muric noted that some of the statements from the West bordered on attempts to railroad Nigeria into an unpalatable situation and to interfere in the electoral process. Muric said it has thrown its weight behind the allegations made by Mr Kyari against certain foreign diplomats.

Muric director Professor Ishaq Akintola, said: “We are not comfortable with the pronouncements of foreign powers regarding the 2019 general elections in Nigeria. There are attempts to intimidate the Nigerian government and these statements stand in contradiction with the status of diplomats. It is interference, pure and simple.

“How can Western diplomats be leaning towards an opposition party which committed the worst rape on our economy? How can they close their eyes to the brutal pillaging of our common wealth? We are the citizens of this country and we know what we have suffered under the present opposition when they were in power.

“We call on the foreign diplomats to ask the leading opposition the reason for tendering a public apology. Was it not for mismanaging the economy, for stealing public money and for throwing a whole nation into misery? Have they learnt their lesson?

“They sold vital assets in their 16 years of misrule but now they are saying they want to sell the heart and soul of Nigeria. Now, we must ask the US, UK and EU diplomats, can you ever allow such nonsense in your own countries?"

He added that their nationalistic instincts must now take the driver’s seat as Nigeria may not have the sophisticated technologies of the US, UK and the EU but the country belongs to us and we are proud of it. Professor Akintola said Nigerians must shock foreign lobbyists presently collaborating with the corrupt opposition to return the country to the stone age.