A faith-based human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called for the cancellation of the proposed protest scheduled for October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.

In a statement, MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said that organizing a protest on a day meant to commemorate Nigeria’s independence from colonial rule would be a “sacrilegious” act.

He urged Nigerians to respect the country and honour its independence anniversary, which falls on October 1.

“We have no other country. We should train our children to respect their country, not to despise it,” Akintola said.

MURIC expressed surprise that some Nigerians are planning to hold protests on the nation’s 64th independence anniversary. The group condemned this, stating, “Protest on October 1 of any year in Nigeria amounts to a desecration of our value for freedom. It is tantamount to an assault on all the struggles of our founding fathers who fought tooth and nail to drive away the colonial master and usher in a much-desired independence.”

The group also pointed out that citizens in other countries show patriotism because of their loyalty to their nation.

“It is not enough to contend that people in those advanced countries manifest patriotism because their leaders serve them loyally. Unlike us in Nigeria, their citizens gave everything to their countries. We must ask ourselves what we as citizens have done for our country,” the statement read.

MURIC also called for a national dialogue between the rulers and the ruled, asserting that “This culture of self-righteousness that has permeated the entire citizenry must be critically and objectively examined. We must not always blame the leaders or the police alone. We are all corrupt except for an infinitesimal few.”

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While acknowledging the severe hunger in Nigeria, MURIC warned against protests fueled by anger. “Prophet Muhammad (SAW) warned that ‘anger at the beginning is like madness while its end is regret,’” the group noted, stressing that protests held in anger can lead to “unpleasant incidents.”

MURIC urged Nigerians to opt for dialogue over protests, especially in light of the negative consequences of the previous #EndBadGovernance protest. “The scars of the last protest are still evident all around us,” the group said, referring to the destruction caused during the protest.

The organization also raised concerns about the potential for the October 1 protest to be hijacked by “rabble-rousing elements,” as had happened during the July 2024 protest. “Furthermore, can any of the planners of this October 1 protest guarantee that rabble-rousing elements will not hijack the protest?” they asked.

While MURIC recognized the right to protest as “sacrosanct and inalienable,” it warned that this right should not infringe upon the rights of others. “For example, people who wish to celebrate independence on October 1 have the right to go to places to enjoy themselves. Protesters also have the right to protest, but they have no right to conduct themselves in such manners as to make it impossible for those who wish to do other things to go about their lawful businesses,” MURIC stated.

The group also advised the Federal Government (FG) to show more commitment to reducing the suffering in the country by organizing national dialogues and reducing the cost of governance. “Government officials should also avoid flamboyant living. We want to see genuine commitment to frugality in government’s activities. The cost of governance in Nigeria is too high. It needs to be drastically reduced,” MURIC said.

MURIC concluded by urging Nigerians to respect their country and celebrate its independence day, drawing comparisons with other nations like the United States, France, and the United Kingdom that honor their national days with reverence. “Let us give some respect to our Independence Day,” the group stated.