The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Federal Government of favouritism in the allocation of public resources, citing the ongoing construction of a N25 billion church project at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport as a key concern.
In a statement, MURIC’s Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, questioned what he described as unequal treatment of religious groups, calling on the government to provide clarity on its decisions.
“The Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have flagged off the construction of a N25 billion (25 billion naira) ecumenical chapel and pilgrimage centre located at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“FG should explain this preferential treatment. Nigerian Muslims deserve better than this. Tongues are wagging in the mosques. Muslim social media platforms are buzzing with frenzy over this lopsided arrangement,” he said.
Akintola also criticised the Federal Government over financial support to victims of violence, alleging disparities across states.
“The sum of N2 billion was also given to victims of violence in Plateau State without a corresponding donation to victims of the same violence in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, etc. Is this fair?” he queried.
He further raised concerns over an alleged distribution of funds ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, questioning the proportionality of such allocations.
“In another disturbing development, N1.2 billion was allegedly donated to all the 19 states of Northern Nigeria for the approaching ‘Id al-kabir (Salah). The identity of the donor cannot be disclosed here for lack of proper reference though it is as close to FG as its jugular vein.
“How can only one state be given N2 billion while all the 19 states in the North are asked to share N1.2 billion? But is it right to treat Muslims like second class citizens, a la animal farm?” he said.
The MURIC leader also challenged critics of the Muslim-Muslim political arrangement, noting what he described as silence in the face of alleged imbalance.
“It is interesting to note that critics of the Muslim-Muslim ticket are silent over this unequal treatment of Muslims and Christians by our ‘Muslim-Muslim’ government,” he added.
He called on the government to ensure parity in the provision of religious infrastructure, including land allocation and funding.
“So we must ask FG to tell Nigerians when land of equal size will be given to the Muslims to build their grand national mosque. Of course FG must not forget the N25 billion cooling off somewhere in the Central Bank which will accompany the land allocation for Muslims.
“What is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. It is our right, and our right is our right. The question is not ‘if’ but ‘when’ and the sooner the better. No excuses,” he said.