The Lagos Muslims community has rejected the list of proposed cabinet members submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
Convener, Joint Muslim Forum and National Missioner, Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Abdul Rahman Ahmad, said this.
Imam Ahmad, at a World Press Conference on Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners-designate list on Tuesday in Lagos, said the group has petitioned the state House of Assembly over the matter.
According to him, the JMF, an umbrella of over 30 Muslim groups, has declared that the number of Muslims in the proposed cabinet – eight – was too few to that of Christians – 31.
He said: “In line with the dictates of our Islamic faith which consistently emphasises fairness in all dealings, and also in line with our conviction that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadiri Hamzat, both are better experienced and prepared to uplift the quality of lives of Lagosians, we mobilised our community to, not only vote for the return of the Governor, but also defended the votes under very difficult circumstances.
“It must be stated that the Muslim community did not collect a dime from neither the APC (All Progressives Congress) flag bearers nor any of their opponents in that election.
“Rather we acted truthfully and selflessly with hope for a more prosperous Lagos.
“With all sense of utmost sincerity, we noted to our utter dismay that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s list exhibited callous insensitivity to diversity, equity and fairness.
“Muslims make up less than 20 percent of the list, even though they constitute over 60 percent of not just the state’s population but her voting public.
“We observed that out of 39 nominees, only eight are Muslims.
“It is no longer news that this list is not pleasing to the generality of Muslims of Lagos.
“It is indeed an affront to our collective sensibilities and tragically confirmed long standing suspected misgivings about Governor Sanwo-Olu’s genuine commitment to fair leadership.
“Before anyone says ‘the Muslims have started again’ please take some time to examine the facts: Go through the history of appointments by Lagos State Government, look at the demography that make up Lagos State, look at it from the lens of what is right and fair, the intention then becomes clear.
“When many in the Christian community rightly or wrongly rejected Governor Sanwo-Olu and his party purportedly to protest the Muslim-Muslim ticket at the national level, we the Muslims of Lagos State stood solidly and voted enmasse to ensure his victory, but rather than show appreciation, it appears that Mr. Sanwo-Olu chose to perpetrate injustice and ingratitude in an ill-thought affront to the peaceful and accommodating Muslim community of Lagos.
“Over the past years, we have witnessed several instances of injustice towards Muslims by the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led state government through its unfavourable policies, lopsided appointments, and infringements on our religious and socio-political rights as a community.
“At various times and fora, we have engaged the government listing these grievances and concerns all to no avail, with no well-defined efforts by the state government till date to assuage these grievances.
“The released list of commissioners is thus a continuation of the old abnormality and a reaffirmation that the state government has no regard whatsoever for the Muslims in the state nor our interest.
“The Muslims have done nothing to deserve this.
“In fact, they have played their part by ensuring that the government of the day won the election.
“The Muslims massively voted for the APC when others campaigned for other parties.
“It is also important to mention that this is not a one-off for this administration.
“In the last term of this government, six Tutors-General were appointed and all were Christians, with instances where senior Muslim successors were sidelined for the nearest Christians.
“Governance should be about fairness and equity.
“Why must Muslims in Lagos State always beg and fight for their constitutional rights in the present dispensation?
“We recall with utmost sadness really, that until the Supreme Court ruled in favour of hijab for our schoolgirls, successive Lagos Governments never felt it should endeavour to align with the global best practice of accepting hijab in addition to abiding with the rule of law.”
The Amir (President) of the Lagos State chapter of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Kamoldeen Abiona, also faulted the commissioner-nominees list.
Abiona also complained about the sidelining of youths in the cabinet.
He said none of the nominated candidates was below 35 years old.
He said: “We raise an urgent alarm regarding the blatant religious under-representation within key government positions in Lagos State.
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“While we endorse appointments based on merit, the organisation contends that reflecting the religious diversity of the state within these positions is imperative.
“It’s important to note with concern that out of the 39 commissioner-nominees, a mere nine are Muslims, a deficiency that falls grossly short of authentically representing Lagos State’s religious diversity.
“MSSN Lagos resolutely calls upon the Lagos State Government to immediately address this critical matter and to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and religious harmony in every facet of governance in the state.”
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