Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has faulted the non inclusion of Igbo leader as member of the restructuring committee set up by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC at its fifth regular joint National Working Committee (NWC) held on Wednesday 19th July, set up the committee to articulate the party’s position on the issue.
A statement signed by National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, revealed names of those in the nine-member committee under the chairmanship of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Others are Governors of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola; Kano – Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Plateau - Simon Lalong; Ogun - Ibikunle Amosun; former Governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, APC National Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso, party spokesman, Abdullahi and Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi as secretary.
But Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC President, in a statement on Monday lamented the”exclusiveness” of the list was worrisome.
“Where are the proponents of restructuring in the committee? They are not there. Can APC shave a man’s head in his absence? He quipped.
”Objectivity demands that at least one or two people from the South East where the call for restructuring and self-determination is loudest should be there.
”We can understand if PDP governors from the South East are excluded but at least a state chairman of the APC from the sub-region should have been picked.
”MURIC demands a review of the membership of the committee before its first sitting in the interest of transparency and objectivity.
“We appeal to agitators who feel genuinely aggrieved to pursue the path of dialogue.
“The emergence of the ruling party’s restructuring committee is a strong signal that hope is on the way.
”Finally, we affirm that although setting up the committee in the first place portrays the ruling party as a listening political body, the recent agitations which created tension in the country calls for cautious, objective and patriotic appraisal.”
