The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) says the 2023 presidential
ticket must be given to a Yoruba Muslim.
In a statement on Monday, Ishaq Akintola, director of MURIC,
said former President Olusegun Obasanjo is making plans to draft Akinwunmi
Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AFDB), into the 2023
presidential race.
MURIC said Obasanjo’s attempt to draft Adesina, who is a
Yoruba Christian, into the race negates the principles of fairness, justice and
equity.
The group noted that while three Yoruba Christians have
“occupied Aso Rock villa”, not a single Yoruba Muslim has been allowed to hold
the position of president or vice president since independence.
MURIC described it as “an attempt to rob Yoruba Muslims of
the presidential slot”, adding that it violates the principle of inclusiveness.
“Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is reportedly making
attempts to draft the current president of the African Development Bank (ADB),
Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, into the 2023 presidential race. We object to this move.
Obasanjo wants to waste all the efforts put in place by the Nigerian government
to get Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina to that continental position,” the statement
reads.
“We remind the former president that as a Yoruba Christian,
he has led Nigeria twice. Two other Yoruba Christians have also occupied Aso
Rock. Chief Earnest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan was the interim head of state
from 26th August 1993 to 17th November, 1993. The current vice president,
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is also a Yoruba Christian.
“It is an open secret that Yoruba Muslims who form the
majority of the population in the South West are being denied their Allah-given
fundamental human rights.
“This has led to complaints and court cases initiated by
Muslims across Yorubaland over political and religious persecution. Yoruba
Muslims are at the receiving end of deprivation of civil liberties. It is our
contention that another Yoruba Christian presidency will usher in another
opportunity for Christian hegemony and the marginalisation, stigmatisation,
repression and persecution of Yoruba Muslims.
“MURIC rejects this grand design to keep Muslims in
Yorubaland in perpetual bondage. There are many Yoruba Muslims who are
eminently qualified for the post of president. We also believe that the
interest of the Yoruba people will be best served if they will channel their
grievances towards ensuring that a Yoruba man emerges president instead of
pursuing a separatist agenda that may lead them nowhere.
“We advise ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to relax his grip
on the Nigerian jugular vein. He should stop pushing Yoruba Muslims to the
background. Christians are not the only human beings in Yorubaland.
“The political party
does not matter to us. What is important is that the next Yoruba presidential
ticket must go to a Yoruba Muslim in the name of fairness, justice and equity.”
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