Southern Muslims, particularly in South West have expressed deep concern over the marginalization of Southern Muslims during recent political appointments made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This was contained in a press release issued by the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), B-Zone, and signed by Barrister Qaasim Odedeji, Amir/Zonal Coordinator; Alh. Abdul Jalil Abdur Razaq, Secretary; and Tahir Mas’ud, Public Relations Officer.
The Society who described these appointments as unjust and unfair also sighed lack of equitable representation for Southern Muslims in the government.
The Society points out that President Tinubu promised inclusivity during his inaugural speech and engagement with the Muslim Ummah of South Western Nigeria (MUSWEN). However, the recent appointment of Ministers and Special Advisers from Southern Nigeria has been heavily skewed, with only a meager number of Southern Muslim representatives.
This pattern of marginalization extends to Southern States as well, where Commissioners and Special Advisers’ nominations exhibit a bias against Muslims, contrary to the significant Muslim population in these regions. The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, B-Zone, sees this trend as a deliberate attempt to politically exterminate Southern Muslims.
The Society highlights that such marginalization not only violates principles of religious tolerance but also contravenes Section 14 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which emphasizes diverse representation and a sense of belonging for all citizens.
In light of these concerns, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, B-Zone, urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rectify the existing imbalance in future appointments to ensure adequate representation for Muslims. Similarly, the Society calls upon Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to reconsider the current list of nominees and strive for a fair and equitable representation of Muslims in the cabinet.
The Society further requests the Governor of Ekiti State to suspend the inauguration of screened Commissioners and Special Advisers until a more balanced representation of Muslims in the state’s cabinet is achieved.
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, B-Zone, reminds that it is the largest youth organization in Southern Nigeria, making it a crucial stakeholder in the region’s political affairs. While promoting peace, unity, and religious tolerance, the Society firmly rejects any act of religious subjugation by Christian counterparts in the region’s collective political affairs.
The Society calls on all Southern Nigerian states to ensure the equitable representation of Muslims in their cabinets, highlighting that qualified Muslim candidates are available across political parties.
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