The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has given a seven-day ultimatum to Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz, to withdraw his ‘This is Nigeria’ video and apologise to Nigerians, or face legal action.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Ishaq Akintola, MURIC’s director, the dancers in the video in no way depicts the situation of the Chibok girls.
Falz had earlier explained that the girls dressed in hijab dancing the “shaku shaku” dance were a representation of the abducted Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity.
MURIC also condemned “a character that dressed like a Fulani man, who suddenly abandoned his traditional guitar and beheaded a man” featured in the video.
The group described the video as “thoughtless, insensitive and highly provocative,” pointing out that the video could brew religious and ethnic crisis.
The statement reads:
“MURIC rejects Falz’ explanation that the girls in hijab in his ‘Shaku Shaku’ dance symbolize the Chibok girls because nothing in the video indicates that the girls represent the Chibok girls,”
“At least none of the Chibok girls have been seen dancing like a drunkard. They are always in pensive mood. Do they have any cause to be dancing? Are they happy?
“The video manifests ethnic bias against Fulanis while it ignored the criminal activities of ethnic militia of the Middle Belt who have also massacred Fulanis and rustled their cattle in their thousands.
“It is a hate video. This video has the potential of causing religious crisis of unprecedented dimension.
“It is an assault on the self-dignity of every Muslim. It is freedom of expression gone haywire.
“We therefore demand its withdrawal and an apology to Nigerian Muslims within seven days or the authors and their agents will face legal action if they fail to comply.
“Only the scenes portraying police brutality and the money-swallowing snake in the video are near the truth.”
The group also called on security agencies and the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clamp down on the video.
“We call the attention of security agencies to this hate action,” the statement continued.
“We remind Nigerians of the outcome of similar provocative actions in the past and their unpalatable outcomes.
“The National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB), a regulatory agency set up by Act No. 85 of 1993 to regulate films and the video industry has a case to answer. ‘Shaku Shaku’ video was shot and released under its watch.
“Instead of going violent, Nigerian Muslims should take those behind the ‘Shaku Shaku’ video to court in order to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We therefore give notice of impending legal action against the artist behind the ‘Shaku Shaku’ video unless the latter is withdrawn and an apology is widely published within seven days.”