The Muslim Congress (TMC) has said it has no alliance, at the organisational level, with any political party or individual(s) in the pursuit of their political agenda.
Its Amir (President), Alhaji AbdulWasi’I Bangbala, in a statement, however, clarified that members of the congress are free to aspire for any political post or join political parties.
Bangbala noted that the congress was immersed in national integration, good governance and responsible citizenship.
He cautioned people employing unconstitutional and extra-legal measures as options in the build-up to the 2023 general elections to back down.
He said: “We would like to reiterate the fact that our organisation is like a father to all, with its members in all major political parties. Any member(s) of the TMC seen fraternising with a political party or individual politician(s) in fostering the interest of such are doing so in their own interests and conviction. It has nothing to do with our organisation. All those who have maligned or trying to link the name of the organisation to political interests of any individuals are, therefore, doing so at the risk of litigation and our lawyers have been appropriately briefed for necessary actions.
“We are stating clearly that the interest of the organisation is that of Islam, the Muslim Ummah and humanity. We will continue to encourage and guide our members appropriately on the best way to discharge their political and electoral duties in order to seek the pleasure of their Creator, while working to achieve cohesion of the Muslim Ummah.”
Bamgbala lamented the continuous discrimination against women in hijab despite constitutional backing for them to freely express their religious rights.
He said: “We take grave exception to the gradual slide of the country towards constitutional anarchy and lack of respect for the rule of law. As victims of lack of respect for constitutionalism, our Muslim women are being daily denied their rights to use the Hijab. These constitutionally guaranteed rights of Muslim women are flagrantly abused and violated with impunity and no one feels concerned about it. We would, therefore, like to appeal to all political actors, especially elected officials and political appointees, to follow the path of honour by respecting the constitution and legal frameworks guiding our social interactions, political participation and electoral aspirations of all Nigerians irrespective of their religious and regional affiliations.”
The congress Amir called on the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU) to find a common ground and end the strike.
“It is quite unfortunate that the students and lecturers have been caught in the vortex of a brewing political storm…While not unaware of government’s other contending demands amidst lean resources, the failure of the authorities to demonstrate commitment to honouring the agreement reached with ASUU in 2009 will always put the government in bad optics. It is disquieting that, in the face of the complete shut-down of universities and the attendant crippling of academic activities in tertiary institutions across the country, some of the dramatis personae who are at the centre of the impasse between FG and ASUU are rather engrossed with political preservation. We call on public spirited citizens to prevail on the authorities to end this national embarrassment of gargantuan proportions.”
The authorities must come up with the right policies to devise alternative sources of funding of the varsities. This is essential to resolve the perpetual financial crisis and also to attract quality academic and non-academic staff capable of producing quality graduates that can compete with their counterparts around the world,” Bangbala said.