The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has warned the promoters of the proposed Oduduwa Republic to stop using fake Islamic organisations to camouflage as Muslims.
The MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, who gave the warning in a statement on Wednesday, urged Nigerians to be wary of fake Islamic groups masquerading as genuine and declaring support for the secessionists.
He said: “The protagonists of the proposed Oduduwa Republic are desperate. Their desperation has reached a crescendo where they have resorted to dishonourable actions.
“This should jog the conscience of honest Nigerians. There is nothing wrong to have differences and disagreements. It is also normal to have ambition. But what is abnormal and ignoble is to pursue your ambition by hook or crook.
“Those in the irredentist Oduduwa Republic camp have descended so low that they use fake Muslim names and counterfeit Islamic organisations to issue statements in order to confuse Nigerians.
“Their plan is to deceive Nigerians and the rest of the world into believing that Yoruba Muslims are with them in their secession bid. This is not politics. It is outright dishonesty. It is not only cowardly, but ignoble, despicable and condescending. It should be condemned by all men and women of honour.
“Those behind it should be ashamed of themselves and those still supporting them should realize by now that they are being led by the nose. We urge Nigerians and the outside world to wake up to the antics of shenanigans masquerading as leaders of Yoruba self-determination groups.
“Yorubas are known to have great qualities of honesty and transparency. That is why the average Yoruba man, based on established Yoruba norms and values, is proud to be called an ‘Omoluabi’, i.e. a man of honour.
“But the reverse is the case with the self-acclaimed leaders of the present Yoruba irredentists. They are another cup of tea entirely. They are prepared to get their reckless and ill-thought-out ambition by fair or foul means.
“Instead of using superior logic to convince Nigerians, they tell lies at will to confuse the gullible. They forge names and concoct counterfeit organisations just by snapping their fingers.
MURIC, therefore, appealed to Nigerians, particularly the Yoruba people, to shine their eyes, saying that these liars and forgers are advocatus diaboli whose only desire is to cause chaos in society.
“To cut a long story short, we warn those agitating for the establishment of Oduduwa Republic to stop deceiving Nigerians by using Muslim names and fake Islamic organisations to issue statements.
“The Nigerian press has a duty to ensure that fake and faceless groups are not allowed to use it to cause disaffection in the society. Media houses are advised to publish only what they can be proud of as members of the noble profession,” the statement added.
