By Professor Ishaq Akintola

‎As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, a faith-based human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to governments at both federal and state levels to desist from stifling opposition in order to avoid political unrest and sustain the country’s nascent democracy.

‎This admonition was given on Monday, 29th December 2025 by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎‎In his words, “As we prepare for the 2027 general elections, we have seen the need to appeal to governments at both federal and state levels to desist from stifling opposition in order to avoid political violence, to sustain our nascent democracy and to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and credible general election in 2027.

‎‎The statement continues, “Like a sapling which grows from various seedling and must be jealously watered in order to become a formidable tree, democracy requires careful nurturing from conception to ideological evolution and finally to established and enduring democratic practices capable of engendering civilizational growth and technological advancement.

“To nurture democracy, the water used to wet it must contain vital ingredients like tolerance of opposition’s view, respect for the rule of law, permission of freedom of expression and the practice of true separation of powers. At no point in time must the executive usurp the role of either the judiciary or the legislature while the creation of a conducive atmosphere for free, fair and credible election is sine qua non.”

‎‎MURIC warns against crackdown on opposition members.

‎‎”Already, there are complaints that the body language of President Tinubu’s administration in recent time signals systematic crackdown and gradual stifling of opposition figures through government agencies.

‎‎”Opposition figures complain of the weaponization of anti-graft agencies, involuntary defections, suppression of dissent, attempt to impose a one party state on Nigeria, etc

‎‎”While a non-govermental body like ours must remain politically neutral, we must not close our eyes to matters such as this because they call attention to likely infringements on Allah-given fundamental human rights of the opposition. It is always safe to assume that the opposition is vulnerable while members of the ruling party are in a position of advantage.

‎‎”Tongues must begin to wag when key figures in the opposition are being invited by security agencies while those who are known to have corruption cases pending in court walk freely on the streets and hobnob with key government figures.

‎‎”MURIC warns against overzealousness on the part of security agencies. Rather we call for undiluted professionalism. People should not be invited just to please the powers that be. At the same time, equal opportunities should be given to political parties, particularly the opposition to have access to public spaces and facilities.

‎‎”The emerging threat to freedom of expression as some members of civil society recently alleged.

‎‎”It was Martin Niemöller (1892 – 1984) who warned, ‘First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.’

‎‎”Before we dive into cyberspace, we call attention to the absence of a clear cut political ideology in Nigeria. The present ‘bolekaja’ mentality among politicians and the attendant ‘bojuboju’ bureaucracy among the civil servants will take us nowhere.

“Instead, we make a case for liberal democracy to save us from the current political roller coaster. Liberal democracy is a democratic system of government in which the rights and freedoms of individuals are officially recognized and protected while the exercise of political power is limited by the rule of law. We are not there yet”

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).