Ndigbo Muslims decry neglect, threats to lives

Igbo Muslims, under the aegis of Southeast Muslims Of Nigeria (SEMON) have decried what they describe as a seemingly coordinated neglect by the Federal Government and state leaderships of the Southeast geopolitical zone.

Chairman, SEMON, Muhammad Ajah, in a statement asserted that the Federal Government has collaborated with their state governments to deny them their constitutional rights as citizens of the country.

Part of the resolutions reached after their meeting in Abuja were; to follow all legitimate means to push for their recognition at the federal and state levels as well as attainment of all rights which every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to.

The group decried various challenges the Igbo Muslims face in their respective birthplaces in Igboland, their status as citizens of Nigeria, their stand on the agitation by some groups in the Southeast and the recent threats to lives of some members of the Igbo Muslim community by some overzealous persons in the region.

The group, however, mapped out strategies for peaceful coexistence and understanding in their different areas of living.A communiqué issued by SEMON reads: “We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his dynamic and nationalistic leadership style and urge him to appoint qualified Igbo Muslims in position of trust as Ministers, Ambassadors, Directors-General of federal government agencies and parastatals as well as board members in the federal organs.”

“A situation where Igbo Muslims have been made to bear the identity of third class citizens by the federal and state leaderships is very worrisome. This has been part of the causes for agitations by different groups in Nigeria. We have been peace-loving, responsible and dexterous patriots of Nigeria in our respective states. Many of us have ventured in politics and we participate with all other Nigerians to elect the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other elected representations for our areas.”

“We are not asking for favour because we have all the qualifications to compete with other Nigerian compatriots. But we are denied and neglected. We are not carried along by our leaderships,” it stated.

The Igbo people look at us as Hausa-Fulani people because we are Muslims and this is unacceptable to us. The Igbo are predominantly Christians. But they have members of Judaism, of Baha’ism, the free-thinkers and the traditionalists. All these beliefs are carried along by the state and federal governments in Nigeria. Igbo Muslims must become a subject of discussion and integration in Nigerian politics.” It stated.