Reuters erroneously reported yesterday that the Nigerian election had been postponed. The misleading report threw panic into both the media world and the Nigerian public. Fortunately, however, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) quickly refuted the story.
This development is most unfortunate. It shows how easily the Nigerian public can be deceived and how volatile is the issue of the 2015 polls. The misleading Reuters story was credited to an executive of INEC and it would have ignited nationwide unrest but for the timely denial from INEC headquarters.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) strongly condemns this irresponsible, despicable and reckless abuse of information paraphernalia by the international news agency.
We call for an independent probe into the source of the misleading information and the circumstances surrounding its release into the Nigerian information system. We advise INEC to screen its high level officials in order to ensure that fifth columnists are not allowed to throw spanners into the wheels of the 2015 polls.
We appeal to the Nigerian media to ignore information about the 2015 polls emanating from sources other than the chairman of INEC himself, Professor Attahiru Jega. Journalists are strongly advised to cross-check information before using it. We charge INEC Chairman to take full charge of information being released to the public from now on until after the election because Nigerians are very gullible and they are presently experiencing pre-election euphoria. Therefore all information regarding the 2015 polls should be handled with all sense of responsibility and a high sense of patriotism.
MURIC invites the Federal Government to appreciate the high level of political consciousness of the average Nigerian citizen as at today. It will be a colossal tragedy for anybody to underestimate the passion of Nigerians for their Allah-given and fundamental human rights and the contempt Nigerians now have for those who are attempting to fool them.
The tiny cabal attempting to enact the June 12 abracadabra is therefore advised to desist before they drag Nigeria into another monumental tragedy. We remind those in position of authority that 2015 is different from 1993. Too many groups are militarized at present and it requires only one wrong step in the wrong direction for Nigeria to be plunged into a huge conflagration.
Finally, MURIC appeals to Nigerians, particularly the youth, to remain calm and law abiding. Nigerians should patiently investigate every piece of information. We call for utmost caution and mature analysis of situations. People should not just jump to conclusions. This is the time to control tempers and ignore provocations. Acts of thuggery leading to arson, maiming and killing will only drag this country back into the 60s. We have no other country besides Nigeria.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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