The statement noted that IMN has a solid structure and capacity to change the Nigerian political equation.
A coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of Secure Nation-Builders has called on the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi'ites not to support any presidential candidate or political party with horrible human rights, economic and security records.
The coalition stated this in a statement signed by its President, Ameh Allen Christopher, which was made available to journalists on Tuesday.
The statement noted that IMN has a solid structure and capacity to change the Nigerian political equation.
The group recounted how hundreds of Shi’ites were massacred in Zaria in 2015 by the Nigerian army. It, therefore, urged the movement not to support any party with a history of using security agents to carry out extrajudicial killings and violate human rights.
According to the coalition, unity is the foundation of every nation’s development as it fosters good governance, equality, selfless service and collaboration for the common good of the country.
The statement read, "We are calling on the Political Forum of the Islamic movement not to support any particular person or party with a bad human rights record, bad economic record and bad security record.
"Based on our findings, the leader of the Islamic movement Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky stick to what he believes as the true teachings of Islam, the Sheikh married a Yoruba lady Zeenat Ibraheem.
"He established an annual programme he named unity week, encourages his disciples to embark on selfless services to their immediate communities in widespread recognition of the need for the unity of the Nigerian people and Africa at large.
"It is on record that the Shia Muslim leader has narrated a number of times that when he was in Kirikiri prison with some president (Shehu) Shagari’s ministers under the infamous Decree two of the unpopular regime of Buhari/Idiagbon that there had been discussions on the breakup of Nigeria.
"The Sheikh refused to comment initially, but when they insisted on his opinion, he said left to him, Nigeria should co-opt other neighboring countries and form a larger united country, where we can utilize our rich and different cultures and diversities.
"Having weak governing institutions where people largely and inappropriately rely on sub-optimal indices such as ethnic affiliation, religious links and family ties in the creation, allocation and distribution of resources and values, a country is bound to face disastrous challenges.”