MURIC: Erdogan unwelcomed in Nigeria

Ahead of his arrival in Nigeria today, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a stern warning to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan asking him to stop prosecuting opposition leader back home in Turkey.

The Muslim rights group, in a statement signed by its director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, accused Erdogan of arbitrary arrest, torture, political killings, long imprisonment of opposition figures and critics, particularly members of the Hizmet Movement.

MURIC said that Erdogan’s visit leaves a sour taste in the mouth because of his alleged undemocratic and tyrannical practices back home in Turkey.

Using his diplomats in Nigeria, Erdogan is persecuting Turkish citizens and members of the Service Movement, which provides humanitarian services in the country. 

Persona non grata was declared in Turkey and they were not allowed to enter the countries of origin. Their travel documents were confiscated and they were not allowed to return.

Erdogan also uses diplomats in Nigeria to call members of the Service terrorists. This is a very bad attempt to incite the Nigerian security forces to arrest, intimidate and unjustly punish innocent refugees and asylum seekers.

Erdogan used a failed coup attempt on 15th July, 2016 to justify sweeping changes to the constitution and he arrogated extensive powers to himself as president. This was followed by a wave of arbitrary arrests, torture, political killings, long imprisonment of opposition figures and critics.