An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has declared that Nigerian Muslims will dialogue with potential candidates on the 2027 general elections.

According to the organization, Muslim stakeholders will contact presidential and gubernatorial hopefuls concerning what they have in stock for Muslims in particular and for Nigerian citizens in general.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday, 20th October, 2025 by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“The Nigerian political architecture is changing aesthetic features as the 2027 general elections draw close. This is the only period when kings-in-waiting are identified while shadow governments are formed in the silhouettes of dark alleys.

“We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), in exercise of our civic responsibilities and conscious of our Allah-given fundamental human rights to seek the welfare of Nigerian Muslims in particular and that of all Nigerians in general, hereby notify potential candidates in the coming general elections to get ready for dialogue with Muslims in their various constituencies.

“Though mighty in number, their microphone is permanently muted. Worse still, their demographic superiority has not translated to anything better particularly in terms of realization of Muslim civil liberties. Nigerian Muslims have lived under unfavourable conditions since independence in 1960. The attainment of republican status in 1963 did not change the situation while successive administrations, including those led by Muslims, have turned deaf ears to their demands.

“This has forced the Muslims to forward their demands to the authorities through petitions, courtesy visits, peaceful rallies, etc, all to no avail to date. Yet Muslims are determined to continue the struggle albeit using peaceful, legitimate and constitutional means.

“We are now leveraging on the political climate in the country to look for listening ears among Nigerian politicians. Nigerian Muslims are willing to engage in dialogue with potential candidates, whether Muslims or Christians, on the 2027 general elections.

“Throughout the history of democratic struggles, whether in the United States, Britain or France, election periods are used by communities and interest groups to showcase their demands and to subsequently base their voting patterns on such demands. Not only do they eventually vote for candidates who promise to address their grievances, they ensure that such candidates are held accountable after their victory.

“Muslim leaders and stakeholders are therefore advised to contact presidential and gubernatorial hopefuls in the states and at national level concerning what they have in stock for Muslims in particular and for Nigerian citizens in general.

“Collective bargaining and securing the commitment of candidates have become mandatory in view of past experiences in which Muslims were left in limbo. We must hold people who secure our votes accountable. Muslim votes must count through palpable results which favour Muslim demands and which ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians like hunger, poverty and homelessness.”