Majority of Nigerians Prefer Islamic System of Government ― Sheikh Zakzaky
THE leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has expressed confidence that most Nigerians would prefer an Islamic system of government over the current neocolonial model.
He made this known during a live interview with Iran’s Press TV, monitored in Kano on Wednesday evening.
This was his first media appearance since his release from detention on July 28.
Complains of Travel Restrictions and Health Challenges
Sheikh Zakzaky accused the Federal Government of violating his fundamental rights by refusing to allow him to travel abroad for medical treatment despite his deteriorating health.
“Even after the incarceration, we are still in another incarceration since they have refused to allow us to travel outside the country.”
Calls for Democratic Choice on System of Governance
The Islamic scholar said the Islamic Movement in Nigeria was democratic in its demand for an Islamic system of governance, explaining that such a system would be chosen by the people if allowed through a public vote.
“I believe that if there will be a plebiscite in this country and people will be asked ‘which system would you like? Is it the status quo, which is inherited from the British colonialists or the Islamic system?
“I’m sure that the majority will choose the Islamic system. [Because] it will be the government of the people after all,” he added.
Zakzaky noted that although the authorities forbid any such vote, the possibility of establishing such a system in Nigeria depended on the will of the people.
“However, this depended on the people being given the choice,” he said, comparing it to the Iranian referendum of 1979 that followed the country’s Islamic Revolution.
Fear of the Islamic Movement
The IMN leader claimed that Nigerian authorities fear the movement’s growing influence and the possibility of establishing an Islamic-style governance system.
“Nigerian authorities admit in private not in public, that they fear the Islamic Movement and the potential that it may help establish the Islamic system just as the Revolution in Iran.
“But all the IMN is after is democracy. What is a democracy? It is the government of the people,” he said.
THE leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky revealed that he is confident that the majority of Nigerians will choose the Islamic system of government over the neocolonial system of government.
This is just as he accused the Federal Government of gross violation of his fundamental right by being disallowed to travel out of the country for treatment despite his deteriorating health condition.
The Islamic scholar made the statement while responding to questions in an exclusive live programme with the Iranian Press TV monitored in Kano Wednesday evening, being the first interview he had with the media since his release on July 28.
“Even after the incarceration, we are still in another incarceration since they have refused to allow us to travel outside the country.”
The scholar also stated that the Islamic Movement is being democratic by simply seeking for the Islamic system of governance as against the neocolonial system in the country today adding that it is the choice of the majority of Nigerians if a plebiscite were to take place.
“I believe that if there will be a plebiscite in this country and people will be asked ‘which system would you like? Is it the status quo, which is inherited from the British colonialists or the Islamic system?
“I’m sure that the majority will choose the Islamic system. [Because] it will be the government of the people after all,” he added.
Zakzaky said, although, the authorities in Nigeria strictly forbid any such vote, he did not rule out the prospect of the establishment of such a system in Nigeria.
“However, this depended on the people being given the choice” similar to what happened in Iran with the referendum that followed the victory of the country’s Islamic Revolution in 1979.
“Nigerian authorities admit in private not in public, that they fear the Islamic Movement and the potential that it may help establish the Islamic system just as the Revolution in Iran.
“But all the IMN is after is democracy. What is a democracy? It is the government of the people” he said.