By Professor Ishaq Akintola

‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Federal Government (FG) of favouritism over the ongoing construction of a N25 billion church building at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

‎In a statement published on Friday, 1st May, 2026 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the human rights group also slammed FG for giving out the sum of N2 billion to victims of violence in Plateau State without a corresponding donation to victims of the same violence in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, etc.

‎MURIC said:

‎”The Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have flagged off the construction of a N25 billion (25 billion naira) ecumenical chapel and pilgrimage centre located at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

‎”FG should explain this preferential treatment. Nigerian Muslims deserve better than this. Tongues are wagging in the mosques. Muslim social media platforms are buzzing with frenzy over this lopsided arrangement.

‎”The sum of N2 billion was also given to victims of violence in Plateau State without a corresponding donation to victims of the same violence in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kwara, etc. Is this fair?

‎”In another disturbing development, N1.2 billion was allegedly donated to all the 19 states of Northern Nigeria for the approaching ‘Id al-kabir (Salah). The identity of the donor cannot be disclosed here for lack of proper reference though it is as close to FG as it’s jugular vein.

‎”How can only one state be given N2 billion while all the 19 states in the North are asked to share N1.2 billion? But is it right to treat Muslims like second class citizens, a la animal farm?

‎”It is interesting to note that critics of the Muslim-Muslim ticket are silent over this unequal treatment of Muslims and Christians by our ‘Muslim-Muslim’ government.

‎”So we must ask FG to tell Nigerians when land of equal size will be given to the Muslims to build their grand national mosque. Of course FG must not forget the N25 billion cooling off somewhere in the Central Bank which will accompany the land allocation for Muslims.

‎”What is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. It is our right, and our right is our right. The question is not ‘if’ but ‘when’ and the sooner the better. No excuses.”‎

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).