MURIC Slams Turkey’s Erdogan Over Gulenist Allegations in Nigeria
written (By Okafor Chinonso Myra | July 22, 2025):
Abuja, Nigeria — July 22, 2025 – The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his recent comments warning Nigeria about alleged Gulenist terrorists operating in the country. The Islamic human rights organization described Erdogan’s warning as baseless and an attempt to manipulate Nigerian sovereignty.
In a statement issued on Monday by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group dismissed Turkey’s claims and accused President Erdogan of attempting to export his domestic political crackdown into Nigeria.
“The government of Turkiye has warned the Nigerian government to be wary of Gulenist terrorists in the country. We take this warning with a pinch of salt. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is crying wolf where there is none. He is afraid of his own shadow,” the statement read.
The warning from Turkey alleges that followers of exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen — blamed for a failed 2016 coup in Turkey — are operating within Nigeria. Erdogan’s government has frequently labeled Gulen’s movement as a terrorist organization, a claim rejected by Gulen and many international observers.
Responding to the allegations, MURIC stated that Turkish-affiliated organizations in Nigeria are primarily focused on education and humanitarian services and have made significant contributions to national development.
“Nigeria is not a satellite of Turkiye. Therefore, Erdogan cannot manipulate Nigeria to satisfy his narrow and diabolical agenda. The world is aware of how he has stifled opposition in his own country through tyranny and repression,” MURIC said.
The group commended the Nigerian government for not yielding to what it described as Erdogan’s “sinister advances” and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and sovereignty.
“As a democratic nation, we will not participate in the suppression of political opposition in other countries. Erdogan should stop targeting the followers of the late Shaykh Fethullah Gulen in Nigeria and desist from spreading falsehoods. He should take his cock-and-bull stories elsewhere. Nigeria cannot be fooled,” the statement added.
MURIC emphasized that foreign governments should respect Nigeria’s independence and warned against using diplomatic relations to undermine internal stability or civil libertie
The verbal clash between MURIC and President Erdogan reflects ongoing global tensions surrounding the Gulen movement and highlights Nigeria’s determination to resist foreign interference in its domestic affairs.
