‎‎Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has advised political parties in the South West to field Muslim candidates if they want Muslims to vote for them.

‎‎The group insists that Muslim governors must emerge in four states of the South West, namely, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun while it demands the emergence of Muslims as deputy governors in Ekiti and Ondo.

MURIC said ‎‎political parties in Ekiti and Ondo must give Muslims the post of deputy governor if they want Muslims to vote for them, describing this as inclusive governance.

‎‎This was contained in a press statement issued on Sunday, April 12, by the Executive Director of the organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads, ‎‎”Although Muslims constitute the majority in Yorubaland, the political leadership space of the region has been hijacked by Yoruba Christians since 2023. No single space was left for Yoruba Muslims. Sanwo-Olu seized Lagos, Abiodun commandeered Ogun, Makinde took Oyo by storm while Adeleke wrestled Osun from Isiaka Oyetola. It was exclusivity par excellence with Muslims as mere onlookers while our common patrimony was shared behind our backs.

‎‎”That was not all. Ekiti and Ondo States succumbed easily to Christian governors. Of course that was not a surprise because Muslims are just between 35 and 40% in those two states. In essence, today, the whole of Southern Nigeria, with 17 states, has no single Muslim governor. Yet these are the same people who are spreading the false, fictitious and baseless propaganda of Islamisation of Nigeria.

‎‎”Meanwhile the Christian governors did not fail to show us the stuff Christians are made of when in government. This was done either through absolute monopolisation of all political posts like commissioners and board chairmen, particularly in Ekiti and Ondo states. It was ruthless marginalisation.

‎‎”Even in states where Muslims form the majority, the distribution of political posts showed unfair leaning towards Christianity. In Lagos, Sanwo-Olu gave Christians 43 commissioner posts but he conceded a meagre 14 to Muslims. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State gave Christians 16 but he gave Muslims 4 only. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State gave Christians 10 but gave Muslims 6 only.

‎‎”The controversial governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, gave Christians 17 while Muslims got 7 only. Ondo gave Christians 15 against only 2 Muslims while Christians took 24 in Ekiti. The Muslims had only one commissioner there.

‎‎”This assymetrical distribution of political posts has far-reaching effects. For instance, it is an open secret that socio-economic patronage depends on where the cat jumps.‎

‎”Employment and employability, access to government interventions like health facilities, distribution of palliatives, official information about vacancies, contracts, etc, come from government sources and the more authorities a group has in government circles the better for its lot.

‎‎”Therefore, South West Muslims have been at the receiving end of political marginalisation, economic impoverishment and social deprivation in the last three years. There is also incontestable evidence that Christian governors have used their positions to wrongly and illegally impose Christians as traditional rulers in the region.

‎‎”Incidentally, Muslims in the region have not been oblivious of all these excesses. Instead of adopting violence or any other unconventional method, they have waited patiently to effect constitutional change. The 2027 general election which is fast approaching provides the right opportunity to vent their spleen. They have taken a position.

‎‎”While they are not supporting any particular candidate or political party, South West Muslims are saying any political party which fails to present a Muslim as its gubernatorial candidate should kiss Muslim votes goodbye.

‎‎”In clear language, Yoruba Muslims are saying ‘Give us Muslim candidates if you want our votes. Christians have ruled for too long. Enough is enough. Give us Muslim governors.’

‎‎”MURIC rejects the lame excuse that Christian candidates are being picked because political parties could not find qualified Muslim candidates. This excuse is deceitful, escapist and therefore unacceptable.

‎‎”Skills abound all over Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. Any political party that consciously desires to create a level playing ground for both Christians and Muslims will spread its tentacles and smoke out capable Muslims (if necessary). We therefore find it necessary to reiterate our position: ‘No Muslim Candidate in the South West, No Vote.’” (Daily Sun, excluding headline)

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