Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has
asked President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Muslim ministers from five
south-west states.
In a statement by Ishaq Akintola,
its director, the group said Muslims have been marginalised when it comes to
ministerial appointment, especially in the south-west.
The group argued that “despite
the fact that Muslims are in the majority in the region, they have always been
“shortchanged politically.”
MURIC said while the region got
two Muslim ministers in Buhari’s first term, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
reluctantly appointed two after a protest by religious leaders.
It, therefore, demanded that
Buhari takes a proactive step by appointing “Muslim ministers in all the states
where the governors are Christians (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti)”.
“We received the worst treatment
under former President Goodluck Jonathan. He appointed six ministers from the
sub-region but, to our dismay, all of them were Christians. We complained about
this gross injustice but he ignored us for three good years (2011 to 2014),”
the statement read.
“A delegation of the Nigerian
Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) led by the Sultan of Sokoto met him
in Aso Rock and presented this lopsidedness among other grudges. This was on
Wednesday 26th March, 2014. To our surprise, Jonathan retorted by asking us why
the northern states have not been sponsoring Christians in the North on
pilgrimage.
“That was the kind of leader
Jonathan was. We complained to him about the marginalization of a Muslim
majority in the South West and he challenged us with the issue of Christian
minorities in the North. That was how he exposed himself as a president whose
interest lay in waging a crusade against Muslims. He reluctantly appointed two
Muslims some months later. Wailers accusing President Buhari of lopsided
appointments may take this as food for thought.
“MURIC is neither being selfish
nor sentimental. Natural justice demands equitable representation if we are all
part of the Nigerian project. By the time newly elected governors are sworn in
on May 29, 2019, the South West will be having five Christian governors and
only one Muslim governor. This leaves Muslims at a disadvantage in a sub-region
where they are the majority.
“Unfortunately the situation was
not redressed by the current administration. Of the six ministers appointed by
Buhari, only two (Babatunde Raji Fashola and Adebayo Shittu) are Muslims. The
remaining four are Christians. The only difference is that Buhari was not
pressurized by the Muslims before he gave them two ministers. Neither were all
his ministers from the area Christians like Jonathan did. Buhari gave the
Muslims two slots and gave Christians four. Jonathan gave the Christians six
and left the Muslims to whistle for their dinner.
“We are therefore demanding Muslim
ministers in all the states where the governors are Christians (Lagos, Ogun,
Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti). This request should be considered against the backdrop of
the gross marginalisation which Yoruba Muslims have faced in the past.
“As we take a break, we appeal to
the presidency to consider the need to urgently address the injustice done to
Muslims in the South West where they are the majority. They have always been
politically marginalized despite having qualified personnel. Unfortunately
Buhari’s regime has also inadvertently shortchanged them. In the name of
justice, fairness and equity, therefore, we demand Muslim ministers in the five
South West states where the governors will be Christians come May 29, 2019.”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com