The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reiterated its call on the National Assembly to check what it described as "executive totalitarianism" exhibited by President Jonathan's administration.
MURIC made the call in a statement signed by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, following some recent occurrences which the group believed were not just coincidences.
The statement reads: "We are deeply disturbed by these ugly, avoidable and absolutely unnecessary developments. They are symptomatic of a jittery administration incapable of tolerating opposition, whether homegrown or in other parties."
According to MURIC, three governors recently suffered intimidation in the hands of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The group said: "On April 26 June, 2013 a plane carrying Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his entourage when returning from the burial ceremony of the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, was grounded for about two hours at the Akure Airport for allegedly violating aviation procedures.
"Also on June7, 2013, a chartered OAS helicopter ferrying Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole and his aides from Government House in Benin to Awka State was recalled to Benin Airport.
"As if that wasn't enough, on June 12, 2013 a Donnier 328 aircraft carrying Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, and his aides from Abuja to Sokoto was diverted to Kaduna over an allegation of unruly behaviuor of the governor's supporters who had come to welcome him at the airport. "Another of its kind is the use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to harass the opposition, considering current trial of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji.
"The subterfuges involved in the attempt to frustrate the registration of opposition parties have reversed the Nigerian state to a feeding-bottle democracy."
Describing the crisis that trailed the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) election as a national embarrassment, MURIC asked: "When did 16 votes become majority over 19? "What kind of mathematical equation is Aso Rock positing for Nigerian children learning simple Arithmetic in schools? What lesson does this teach students of Political Science in Nigerian universities? Why is it always happening to opposition or governors who have fallen out of the President's favour?"
The group, however, called on the international community to watch out for more abracadabras in the 2015 elections because an administration which accepts 16 as the winning vote over 19 cannot be trusted to deliver a free and fair election.
National Mirror