• Muslims protest festering marginalization
Muslims in Ekiti State have protested the lopsidedness in the list of Commissioner-nominees as presented by Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to the Ekiti State House of Assembly for approval.
Acting under the aegis of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the Muslims condemned, the governor’s action for including only one Muslim in the list of 21 proposed cabinet members describing it as unacceptable.
Alhaj(Dr) Hammed Afolabi Bakare in a statement urged the governor, to, as a matter of urgency, revisit the list and make amendments in the interest of peace.
The entire Muslims in Ekiti State wish to express their dissatisfaction with this continuous marginalization as we have through various platforms engaged and showcase Muslim professionals and competent persons within the society who have participated dearly in the development of the state in various capacities.
“We urge the Executive Governor to revisit our application to ensure he run an all-inclusive government that showcases religious equality in Ekiti State as against what was recorded in the previous government.
“We will appreciate a reconsideration and we will continue to press home our matters through the various means available to ensure our state is being managed in fairness, equity and justice”
“We hereby note with disdain the marginalization of Muslims in Ekiti State as recently demonstrated by the Political Office holders in Ekiti State currently headed by His Excellency, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji who presented to the Ekiti State House of Assembly a list of twenty-one (21) commissioner nominees for confirmation by the lawmakers with only one (1) Muslim name (Dr Kareem Akande – Moba LG) present in the list. ” the statement said.
List of 21-nominee
Those in the list and their Local Government Areas include, former deputy speaker and South West spokesman of APC, Karounwi Oladapo (Efon); former commissioner for information, Taiwo Olatunbosun (Irepodun/Ifelodun); former commissioner for Agriculture, Folorunsho Olabode (Ilejemeje); former chairman of Ado LGA, Mrs Tosin Aluko; former Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi (Efon); former commissioner for Arts and Culture, Professor Ojo Bakare ( Ekiti West)and the former commissioner for works, Adesola Adebayo ( Irepodun/Ifelodun).
Also on the list are, Dr Kareem Akande (Moba); Oyeniyi Adebayo (Ido/Osi); Professor Patrick Tedela (Ekiti Southwest), Kehinde Ajobiewe (Ekiti East); Olufemi Awe (Ayekire); Kayode Fasae (Ise/Orun) ; Dolamu Adeniyi (Ikere); Atibioke Ojo( Ijero) and Adebayo Adesola (Moba).
Five of the current special advisers for trade, investment and industry, Mrs Tayo Adeola( Ado); Infrastructure and public utilities, Professor Bolaji Aluko (Ayekire); Agriculture and food security, Ebenezer Boluwade (Emure) ; Reforms, governance and innovation, Seun Fakuade (Oye); and Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye (Ido-Osi) were upgraded as commissioners designate.
