ABEOKUTA, Nigeria, Jan. 30 (IslamOnline) - A group of Muslims in Nigeria have established a political party within the democratic set up in the country with the ultimate philosophy of promoting the interest of Muslims, said the National Chairman of the Islamic Democratic Progressive Party (IDPP), Sheikh Al-Mansur Muhammed Williams.
Shiekh Williams stated that the Christian orientation within the Nigerian polity had robbed Nigerian Muslims -- who constitute the majority -- of their religious as well as fundamental human rights.
He also noted that there had been political instability in Nigeria because of a lack of morality and the absence of Islamic education in the schools, stressing that there was urgent need to allow the Muslims to have their political party as a democratic right.
He explained that Islam was the only religion that did not make any distinction between spiritualism and politics, explaining that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was both spiritual and political leader in Medina.
The Muslim political leader described the new Electoral Act outlawing the registration of new political parties before the 2003 elections as a "military decree." He explained that Nigeria should be allowed to enjoy the full privileges of a true democracy by permitting as many political parties as possible, reiterating that it was undemocratic to forbid the registration of new political parties.
Sheikh Williams alled for a review of the Nigerian constitution, saying that it was "not viable" with its contradictory provisions. He noted that the constitution was signed into law by the military without a referendum, adding that there would not be any need for an Electoral Act if there was a valid constitution in the first place.
