“Steer Clear Of Gabon’s Path” – MURIC Advises Nigerian Military

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised the Nigerian military against emulating the actions of the Gabonese army, which carried out a bloodless coup on Wednesday to overthrow President Ali Bongo.

In a statement released on Wednesday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, offered this advice. He stated, “While we disapprove of the prolonged stay in power by the Bongo family in Gabon and similar cases in African nations, we strongly condemn the military coup. MURIC urges the Nigerian Army to remain nonpartisan and resist the temptation to follow the example of the Gabonese army by orchestrating any coup in Nigeria.”

Akintola emphasized that any Nigerian soldier contemplating a coup during the current era is likely driven by selfish motives. He highlighted the distinction between Nigeria’s political landscape and that of Gabon, where the Bongo dynasty has held power for over five decades.

He continued, “A military coup against the ongoing Muslim-Muslim leadership will be seen as a direct affront to Muslims in the nation, given the profound religious sentiments associated with the controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim leadership. Any coup attempt now in Nigeria will carry religious implications. Nigeria has not forgotten the one-sided anti-North coup of January 15, 1966, led by Igbo soldiers, and the retaliatory counter-coup of July 1966, predominantly staged by Northern soldiers.”

Akintola praised the Nigerian Army as a highly skilled and professional force, acknowledging the nation’s pride in them. However, he stressed that the army is already engaged in significant tasks, combating Boko Haram, insurgents, and other security challenges, which leaves no room for political involvement.

He concluded, “The army should not take on more than it can handle. We urge Nigerian leaders to learn from the developments in Gabon, Niger, Mali, and elsewhere. Effective governance is now an imperative for leaders. We must eradicate poverty, hunger, and illness from our nation.”