Youth organisation under the aegis of the Joint Youths For Progressive Alliance, JYPA, an umbrella body of over 25 youth groups across the country has cautioned a group known as the Joint Muslims Forum, JMF, over comments and utterances capable of causing chaos, disunity and disaffection among residents of Lagos State.
JYPA warns JMF, an umbrella Body of over 30 Muslim Groups that includes Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Sheikh AbdulRahman Adangba and twenty seven (27) others to stop fanning the embers of hatred and religious bigotry in the commercial hub of the country.
The Group said it was necessary to call JMF to order over its careless comments alleging one sidedness in the Commissioners List submitted by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu to the Rt. Hon. Midashiru Obasa-led Lagos State House of Assembly.
In a Press Release in Lagos on Wednesday made available to newsmen signed by the President of the Group, Muyideen Olayinka and its Executive Secretary, Michael Akinwale, the Group said it frowns at the International Press Conference held by the JMF last week where it alleged that the Muslim Community reject the Commissioners List, declaring that the List has just 8 Muslims as against 31 Christians on the list of 39 men and women, which it said shows oppression, pathological hatred, callousness, Insensitivity, and unfairness.
JYPA said the move shows that the JMF lacks any sense of history and is plotting to cause unnecessary chaos and crisis across religious lines which will plunge the State into needless crisis.
It stated that when the All Progressives Congress, APC, gave Nigerians a Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket, the Christians embraced it which metamorphosed in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President, Kashim Shettima. The Group queried JMF that if the APC had presented a Christian-Christian Ticket, would the JMF Muslims had agreed to that and vote ?
The Group added that at the Lagos State House of Assembly, there are 24 Muslim Lawmakers as against the Christians, who have 14 Members, and at no time have they complained of marginalisation.
It also noted that four of the six principal officers of state assembly were Muslims.
“It is just so pathetic that this is coming at a time when we believe that the growth, development and progress of our dear State should be our priority In attaining the Mega City of our dreams, so religious fanatics and charlatans should not be encouraged to fan the embers of hatred, discord and instigate religious problems.
“Will these set of unscrupulous and backward thinking people accept Christian/ Christian tickets in Lagos? If a discreet investigation is conducted, you will find out that the elements behind this subversive comments are not true Lagosians; they are just here to cause chaos and flee to their States which is not as prosperous as the centre of excellence”.
The Group furthermore stressed that in its investigation into the Ministry of Home Affairs in Lagos State for example, the Muslims are the ones benefiting immensely especially in terms of Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia.
It added that it was shocking to know that the Christians are not getting one-third of the budget that Muslims get for Pilgrimage yearly.
“It may interest the JMF that Governor Sanwo Olu’s Personal Assistant and Personal Driver are Muslims, and he allows them to observe their Prayers as at when due. It is however disturbing that this insensitive Group called JMF will come up with such accusations and just want to create unnecessary issues when the need does not arise”.
The Group pleaded with Lagosians to reject the JMF and its sponsors as they are just a clog in the wheel of advancement, growth and prosperity of the State.
“This JMF means no well for the State. The Peace, development, prosperity, growth and advancement of the State should be the priority of all, rather, some set of unscrupulous elements who hide under religious line to cause unrest, chaos and hatred among the people for their own selfish interest should not be accepted and tolerated, rather, they should disgraced and silenced.
“What positive impact has the JMF made in the growth and development of the State? These are questions begging for answers. They just believe in inciting people negatively to actualise their selfish desire. We say NO to charlatans and haters of peace and prosperity of Lagos State,” the group concluded.
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