South Eastern Muslims Organisation of Nigeria (SEMON), a socio-cultural Igbo group, has called on Igbo Muslims to participate in a national event by joining political parties and contesting any positions of choice.

In a statement signed by Muhammad Ajah and Abdurrahman Urama, its national chairman and national secretary, the group alleged that a lot of Igbo Muslims are interested in contesting political positions but hold back for lack of funds and fear of wasting their “scarce resources” only to be disqualified during the screening process on religious grounds.

It commended the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for always looking out for it members in the north.

The group said in a statement: “We are happy that more of our brethren are venturing into politics. For 2019, some of us in different Southeast states showed interest or bought forms to contest elections. But our consternation is that we are always disqualified on religious base.

“And no group from the Muslim organizations in Nigeria care to talk on this. But the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has continued to make genuine cases for their brethren in the north.

“Recently, CAN in Niger State called on the governorship candidates of all political parties in the state to ensure they pick a Muslim/Christian team for the 2019 governorship election in the interest of fairness and respect between the two major religions in the country.

“In states like Adamawa, Kaduna and few others in the north, no Muslim governorship aspirant can easily win election without having a Christian as his running mate. Is it a taboo for a Christian governorship aspirant in the Southeast and South-south to pick a Muslim running mate for election?”

The group noted that even though the Igbo Muslims are “intentionally” neglected by their representatives after every general election, they should not be discouraged from exercising their franchise in the forthcoming polls.

It also urged Muslim association to advocate for the inclusion of Muslims in the political development of Nigeria.

“While we commend CAN for this follow up of political activities of their members in their northern minority areas, we think it is naturally reasonable for the apex umbrella bodies of the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria such as the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Jama’atu Nasril-Islam (JNI) to put up strong advocacy for the inclusion of Igbo Muslims in the political development of Nigeria and their states,” it said.

“The Muslim political class should not be complacent with their placements and forget the political alienation of their brethren in the Southeast. This is a wakeup call on the Muslims as the 2019 political dispensation gear up.”

Igbo Muslims are suffering discrimination in SE.

Nigeria has minorities. We don't want our President from a region that maltreats its minorities. SE will not qualify for Presidency in 2023.

Look at how you discriminate your own people because they are of different faith. We expect you to change pretty quickly.

like as if anyone stoping them from contesting

igbo muslim? it sounds awkward

Hmmm. This is getting serious. Are Igbo Muslims not humans? Why the marginalisation? Isn't this against everything Igbos claim they stand for?

Igbos don't have Muslims. Any Igbo Muslim is fake

See the idi.ots trying to push their islamization script down to the east. From we want Deputy Governor in Benue and Plateau, now its Igbo Muslims are marginalized.

Guess we should start by making Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and the rest far Northern state Christians Governors of their states.

Those Christians in the north surfer the worst form of discrimination known to man, that most now adopt Muslim names, just to get by in their states.

It's clear to see the dullards sole agenda (Jihad) for Nigeria and that's why he must be chased outta Aso Villa.

Igbo Muslims?


What of Fulani Catholics & Hausa White garments?


There's nthing money can't make a man do

Just as its hard for a Christian to pass through the Eye of a Needle in Sokoto...

majamajic:
like as if anyone stoping them from contesting

Yes. They are being forced from doing so. That is what they are saying. Or are you hard of reading?

See these ewedurians

Better focus on ur side and leave us alone

Islam can't stand in the east

Is there anything as igbo Muslim before?

We know of Yoruba Muslims and Yoruba Christians. Never heard of igbo Muslims.

We know how intolerance some people are, they keep labeling other religions and region as intolerance but they are the intolerable pple. Go to northerns & southwest region u will see Christians contesting and winning elections.

LuciferDivine:
Igbo Muslims?


What of Fulani Catholics & Hausa White garments?


There's nthing money can't make a man do

There are actually Fulani Christians just that they are a tiny minority.

Denying the existence of Igbo Muslims is a form of pre - genocide.

I wonder why nairaland refuses to push this to the front page, it is very pertinent that we speak for the oppressed.

Just look at how Biafrans label their muslim minority. Ehhn, just look...
What have they done to deserve this negative and direspectful label?
Chineeke!

Corrinthians:
Yes. They are being forced from doing so. That is what they are saying. Or are you hard of reading?

no one stopped them from contesting, they are fighting inferiority complex. Abdul Rasisi Udeh headed and still heading many organizations in East till date.

let them go ask the Christians in the north before complaining.

majamajic:


no one stopped them from contesting, they are fighting inferiority complex. Abdul Rasisi Udeh headed and still heading many organizations in East till date.

Igbos see their muslim brothers and sisters as a blemish. There is denial of their existence with comments questioning the legitimacy and harmony of their religion with igbo culture. In pre-world war II Germany the state saw handicaps as blemish of society.

We are watching you.

ImperialYoruba:


In a statement signed by Muhammad Ajah and Abdurrahman Urama, its national chairman and national secretary, the group alleged that a lot of Igbo Muslims are interested in contesting political positions but hold back for lack of funds and fear of wasting their “scarce resources” only to be disqualified during the screening process on religious grounds.


The group said in a statement: “We are happy that more of our brethren are venturing into politics. For 2019, some of us in different Southeast states showed interest or bought forms to contest elections. But our consternation is that we are always disqualified on religious base.”

The said group isn't sure of what they even experienced.

Can they name those political parties that excluded them from the screening due to their religious backgrounds?

You can't eat where you didn't sow you know. CAN had the chance to speak because their members have worked hard to get it.

No political party or candidate will pick a random deputy not even a SA.

don't join religion with politics with believe that you are definitely entitled to a post because you are a Christian or Muslim.

I will like to see Fulani catholic

Give them an inch of space and they would start behaving like Yoruba Moslems. No room for terrorists in the East

I doubt if any full blooded Igbo man would ever want to be a Muslim. it's against our way of life.

Any attempt by Buhari and his Islamic extremists to divide Ndi Igbo along religious lines will be heavily rejected.

MURIC take note!!

awgumayor:
Igbos don't have Muslims. Any Igbo Muslim is fake

says igbo christian terrorist

ImperialYoruba:


Igbos see their muslim brothers and sisters as a blemish. There is denial of their existence with comments questioning the legitimacy and harmony of their religion with igbo culture. In pre-world war II Germany the state saw handicaps as blemish of society.

We are watching you.

When Ganduje appoints one of the well educated and qualified Kano minority Hausa christians his deputy, then we can talk. Even Kaduna that the proportion is 50:50 has a Muslim-Muslim ticket, you are here earning a shameful living off falsehoods.

Anyway we might be asking too much. Let them first employ a Christian Religious knowledege teacher in government schools first or give the numerous churches within their states C of O.

igbo muslims need to make their voice heard and not allow their intollerant igbo christian and igbo jew terrorist counterpart oppress them.



What is with igbos and bigotry self? Ehn

LuciferDivine:
Igbo Muslims?


What of Fulani Catholics & Hausa White garments?


There's nthing money can't make a man do

Imperialyoruba never see anything sef

the Hausa White Garment , that got me rolling on the floor. haha

When will fulani Christians allow to participate in northern politics.

Is so unfortunate that with the majority of fulani Christians.. including those from the celestial body of Christ and cherubimn saraphim has always been magline and denied ..elective position for the sake of religion..and been screen out during pre election

We've always heard their maginal cries..

Same with those in the Southwest region..

The osun election is a testimony to this fact..
Adeleke a reknown rabbi in cherubimn and saraphim..was rigged out by the Islamic government of Aregbe..for a semi Muslim urmah on a religious ground..

Same is happening in Lagos..the commercial city of Nigeria..been most secular states but is been dominated by the Islamic urmah..not giving or considering Christians in it politics

The first Christian governor was denied a second term on religious sentiments and gently replace by sanowu a semi Muslim..with a Muslim depuTy

Nigerians need to wise

what's the percentage of Muslims from southeast