*That El-Rufai’s Verbal Diarrhoea On Islamic Movement in Nigeria*
By Attabeeb Kaduna
_This is the first of two parts rejoinder to the governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai’s comments on the Islamic Movement of Nigeria_
The governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai was said to have spoken with journalists recently on some security and political issues in the state. In the course of that discussion, he was reported to have touched the issue of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and his declaration of it as an unlawful society. He even went as far as to overrate his sense of responsibility. Ordinarily, one would have let it pass without any response, since as the Hausa saying goes, “in mafadin magana wawa ne, majiyin maganar ba wawa bane” (meaning if the one speaking is foolish, the listener ought to be wiser). We are indeed much wiser. Had he remained silent, we would have thought he was a genius.
He began by passing the buck of his confusion by blaming media outlets for relaying his cloudy mind and the consequent action that emanated from it. In one swoop, he contradicted himself. He said he didn’t ban any organisation because he has no power to ban an organisation if it exists. Yet he declared Islamic Movement an unlawful society. He agreed that he “cannot ban religion or religious practice.” This much he seems to know, thankfully. However, even with this realisation, he still went on to say that all he did was “to say that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is an unlawful society.” Herein is his confusion and ignorance. The contradiction is self-explanatory.
What we understand of a society is “an organised group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes.” This all-embracing dictionary definition would mean that the Islamic Movement, taken as a social unit, is “the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community,” for religious observances. He has already alluded to the fact that he cannot ban religion or religious practices. The Constitution of Nigeria guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. If then a group of conscious Muslims decide to practice their faith and propagate same in communion with others, elRufai cannot deny them that fundamental right. He knows it. He said so too. His declaration is null and void, of no effect whatsoever; to the extent it violates this universal principle.
He made reference to a certain report of the judicial commission of inquiry, which he said told him that “IMN poses a threat to the peace, security and good governance of Kaduna State.” He conveniently did not mention that the said Judicial Commission was set up by him to arrive at that very conclusion. From its conception, through composition to its conduct, it was meant to report the way it did. Had elRufai not already declared IMN guilty even prior to setting up the commission? Had the governor not carefully chosen archenemies of IMN to sit in the Commission? Had the Commission not tactfully denied IMN leadership and members fair hearing through deliberate exclusion? Even at that, was that the only thing the Commission recommended or it was only what was needed?
He made mention of some “Shiites organisations” operating in the state that are not outlawed. He said they are “free” to practice their brand of Islam, because according to him, they are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). I don’t know where registration with CAC is made a prerequisite to be become free to practice any brand of Islam. But this is pure mischief on his part. He seeks only to deceive people with that. See part 2 for continuation

The two so-called “Shiites organisations” are Foundations, registered as non-profit outfits. Deliberately, he pretends not to know that the IMN has more than five similar outfits with appropriate registration with the CAC. He feigns ignorance of the fact that these IMN-affiliated organisations have been operating lawfully, and even remitting tax to the coffers of government. So in what other way does he want the IMN to obey the laws of Nigeria and Kaduna State?
According to elRufai, the permitted “Shiites organisations” recognise the constitutional order in Nigeria, recognised President Muhammadu Buhari as president of Nigeria and Nasiru el-Rufai as governor of Kaduna State. By this, he impliedly wants to say the IMN does not. He has never shown any evidence in support of his wild allegation. Even in the course of this attack on the IMN leadership, members and properties, we wrote petitions to President Buhari and himself (elRufai), which we would not have done if we did not consider them to be President and Governor respectively. We honoured invitations of the Senate (and the House of Representatives too) in the wake of the present brutality against our members. There have been several subsequent visits by members of the Islamic Movement to the National Assembly since then. We have sought redress in Nigerian courts in the most peaceful and lawful ways even in the face of extreme provocation and persecution. Where is the evidence therefore that we “do not accept that any law in Nigeria applies” to us? The entire outburst of the governor about us not recognising constitutional order in Nigeria is nothing but undiluted malice.
The same goes about all other allegations in that piece. It is true the IMN has a para-military setup that organises keep-fit drills and marches. But so do many other organisations. Some are even standalone para-military outfits. Boys Scouts, Man O’ War are just a few. Others are maintained by religious bodies such as ‘Yan Agaji (belonging to group he is supporting – Izala/Wahabi/Salaf group), Fitiyanul Islam, Boys Brigade, Girls Guide to name a few. Others are maintained by traditional rulers, such as the Dogari (some hold whips and den guns). Communities also maintain them as the vigilante system (they too hold assorted weapons). So why is all the noise about our Hurras, who don’t bear any weapons, but assist in maintaining orderliness during our very populous activities? If as elRufai said, we “train them in violation” of his laws, so do others. Neither elRufai in all his rants nor others have specifically brought an instance where any of those was involved in any crime. Certainly, if there was such, he would have been quick in prosecuting us. Rather, he has resorted to extra-judicial killings, mass graves and arbitrary destruction of properties. For which of the offences he listed is any of these his punishments permissible? Let the law-abiding governor let the world know.
The governor’s verbal diarrhoea went on uncontrollably. He talked about building “anywhere they want without approval.” He said we “don’t even bother to acquire title to land.” He mentioned that our “allegiance is not to Nigerian government” but “somewhere else.” In none of these spurious claims did he show proof. He thought that by merely being a governor, he could just open his mouth and speak unintelligibly. We concede that he was only exhibiting his only recognised talent – “a malicious liar, pathological purveyor of untruths with no regards to integrity.” How apt!