The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Ogun State Chapter has called on Christian leaders in Ogun State and beyond to support the emergence of a Muslim as the next governor of the state.
It said this is in the “spirit of fairness and reciprocity to the Ogun Muslim community who were persuaded by the call of Christian leaders in 2019 under a similar circumstance.”
MURIC made the call in a statement signed by its Ogun State chairman Ustadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao AAN, AMC, and the State Secretary Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare.
The message reads;
” We vividly recall that the Christian leadership in our dear state made a similar call in 2019 for religious fairness and sensitivity in the choice of a successor to the then outgoing Governor Ibikunle Amosun, a Muslim.
“Adekunle Akinlade, also a Muslim, was the choice of Amosun as his successor. The Christian leaders in Ogun State however kicked against it. They said it would be unfair for another Muslim to step in as Governor after 8 years of Amosun in the saddle.
They refused to be persuaded that the quality of the candidate rather than his religion should be the yardstick for the succession. They were indeed vociferous that the Ogun State Christian community also had capable and quality candidates to succeed Governor Amosun.”
Many Muslim leaders and electorates in Ogun State bought into the argument and solidly supported and voted for Prince Dapo Abiodun, a Christian, who by next year, 2027, would have spent 8 years in office as governor.
“It is in this spirit of fairness and reciprocity to the Muslim community who were persuaded by the call of Christian leaders in 2019 under a similar circumstance that we are urging Christian leaders in Ogun State and beyond to stand up for justice and equity by supporting a Muslim as the next governor of Ogun State.
” Our call is without malice. It is Christlike. It is a call for love, harmony, and inclusiveness.”
Our call is further underscored by the fact that since the creation of Ogun State in 1976, a Muslim civilian governor has only ruled for 8 years while Christian civilian governors would have ruled for 26 years by next year, when the tenure of Governor Dapo Abiodun would come to an end.”
We here by raised a poser, asking ” By 2027, should 26 years wait for 8 years or is it 8 years that should wait for 26 years? Will it not be an anomaly for the Christians who have ruled for 26 years to get another 8 years this ruling for 34 years while the Muslims would still have ruled for just 8 years?”
MURIC said ” Christians have had more than their fair share in producing civilian governors of Ogun State. Justice and equity demand that they should therefore support the emergence of a Muslim as the next governor. This is the kennel of our call.”
