₦airaland Forum

*MICA KADUNA CALLS FOR PEACEFUL GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION IN KADUNA STATE*

MICA Islamic Centre for Awareness (MICA) Kaduna State chapter calls on well meaning Muslims and indeed residents of Kaduna State to embrace peace rather than making the forthcoming gubernatorial/State Assembly elections an affair in loggerheads.

Our attention has been drawn to all plethora of unsavoury messages flying across social media platforms aimed at causing mischief, mistrust and division.

MICA will not fold its arms and allow political events of these few days slide us into an uncontrollable state of anarchy.

The enemies of peace are at it again,hell bent on actualizing their evil agenda and it is to disunite the ummah using politics as a weapon of division. It's worthy of note that, the two leading contenders in the 9th March 2019 gubernatorial election in the state are Muslims and indeed our brothers.

No thanks to religious leaders who have had to set their followers on a collision course with a view to scoring cheap political points. The Muslims are but brothers. Democracy is not the Muslim style of leadership system, we have our unique system of governance devoid of unnecessary rancor and bickering but Muslims all over the world where democracy is practised consider it the least evil and the need to present leaders who will not stop us from our worship are the reasons among others that account for our participation in the democratic process.

Therefore, we must not make their political contention a source of disintegration to the ummah rather an avenue to solidify our unity and oneness. We must remain calm and be careful not to fall into the trap of the enemies of peace.

We can't claim to be unaware of the dangerous messages churned out in recent times by the Christian Association of Nigeria,(CAN) Kaduna Chapter and their co-travellers, Southern Kaduna People's Union (SOKAPU) whose dangerous but deliberate,acerbic and inciting messages have gone viral and has far-reaching security implication of mistrust, hate and anti-progress. This is not a recipe for peaceful coexistence. It is indeed irresponsible, unpatriotic and self-serving behaviour. We call on them to desist from this untowards act

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, it's our right to choose the best leadership that will pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years, let's do it with high level of decorum and sagacity given that the two leading contenders are Muslims and knowing full well that a vote for one is a vote against the other.

We also encourage you to file out in your numbers and cast your ballots with the fear of Allah and of course with the hope of having an egalitarian society where commerce, industry and the rule of law reign supreme. As a people, we can't ask for less than the above .

We encourage you not to be one of those who will cast aspersions against your brothers. The prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW) had in several of his traditions warned against backbiting and slander.

In view of this, we condemn in strong terms hate speeches flying about in both social and traditional media platforms aimed at setting us on a collision course with ourselves or people of other faith who have shown indifference in the whole political gameplay.

Esteemed brethren, as we enter the election week let's comport ourselves, let's not be seen engaging in unhealthy political arguments, vote the best candidate, their credentials are in the public domain to help us make informed decisions.

Vote wisely! Say No to violence! May we all be hugely favoured by our Creator.

In the days ahead, we shall engage the government on issues relating to education, health and social well-being. Jazakumllahu Khayran!

Asalam alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh

*Signed:* *Abu Ni'imah*

*General Secretary*

PRESS STATEMENT

*MICA KADUNA SUES FOR PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AMONGST KADUNA RESIDENTS.*

Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA)Kaduna observes with dismay, the recent descent into knavery and anarchy which has shattered the peace enjoyed by all law abiding residents for a long while.

MICA implores all law abiding and peace-loving people of Kaduna state to shun mischief, avoid fake news emanating from vile sources and embrace peace.
Fake news no doubt,has principally fuelled the current orgy of wanton loss of lives and destruction of properties. This calls for serious concerns among the peaceful residents of Kaduna.

MICA Kaduna in clear terms condemn the wanton destruction and mindless killings of innocent people in some parts of Kaduna,we call on the Kaduna state government to ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book. The state cannot be suffering from community violence owing to the greed of miscreants amongst us who feed heavily on roguery and smile to bank at the expense of others.

This community violence in kasuwar Magani should not be mistaken for ethno-religious crisis. The ethno-religious narrative supported with images are used to foul up the discussion to cause distrust and disharmony among the people by the enemies of peace and developement in the state.

While we appreciate the present administration's swift and prompt action in curbing the spread of violence by imposing a 24-hour curfew on the state, we however demand unequivocally that a security summit be convened to allow youths who are the arrowheads and fooder of perennial crisis be asked to chart the best course of action.

However, as a group of professionals , our observation shows that the continued enforcement of the sit-at-home directive by the state government, is not unconnected to the activities of hoodlums influenced by illicit drugs,who haven't had field day snatching people's possessions.

We also realized that hate speeches emanating from worship centres and from among political gladiators in the state are cinders for continued bedlam. These have contributed to the misbehavior of teeming youths across the state .

Furthermore, the undesirable criminal elements among us are traceable to certain families or clans.These elements cause mayhem and take to their heels while innocent bystanders,commuters and members of the society are made to suffer for their sins.This is unacceptable and fall short of global best practices.

We commiserate with the people of Adara and the entire Kajuru Local Government Area over the demise of the paramount chief of Adara chiefdom, HRH Agom Adara, Dr.Maiwada Galadima (JP) gruesomely murdered following his abduction.

We equally thank the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, the military and indeed all voluntary security operatives for swinging into action, we will appreciate increased surveillance on flashpoints within the state.

It is against this backdrop that, MICA Kaduna demands:

1. The security apparatus in the state should ensure those involved in the killing of the Agom Adara be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.

2. We call on the state government to go after the perpetrators of the mayhem at Kasuwar Magani.

3. Spread of fake news from unverified social media platforms be tracked and those responsible for the spread of such news be brought to book.

4. Drug addicts in public places,nooks and parks be arrested and punished according to the laws of the land.

5. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission be set up as lasting panacea to the lingering clash.

6. Let adherents of the diverse faiths eschew intolerance, religious extremism and ethnic bigotry.

7. We also urge the security architecture in the state to ensure security presence at all junctions even after the relaxation of curfew for a considerable period of time.

8. We align our thoughts with the state government on the need to hold community and opinion leaders responsible for needless crisis in their domains.


Signed:
*ABU NI'IMAH*
*SECRETARY, MICA KADUNA*