The Muslim Association of Nigeria, MAN, United Kingdom (UK) chapter has called on the Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure adequate representation of Muslims in his cabinet.
MAN UK chapter, representing the Nigerian Muslim community in the diaspora, made the call on Wednesday, shortly after the Lagos Muslim community staged a peaceful rally at the State House of Assembly (LAHA) to reject Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s 39-man list of commissioners, which had only 8 Muslims.
The association, in a press release signed by its Secretary General, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Sanusi, joined the Muslim ummah to reject the lopsided list and demand a fresh one that will reflect fairness and justice to all without discrimination.
Alhaji Sanusi said, “The association has followed with keen interest and utter dismay, the development in the disproportionate appointment of cabinet members in the current Lagos State administration. This blatant disregard for justice, fairness and equity by the Lagos State Government is one too many.”
According to him, Various organisations within the general Muslim Community in Lagos State have voiced their displeasure against the disproportionate list of 8 Muslim commissioners and 31 Christian commissioners in the cabinet of 39 members. They complained that the list is unfair compared to the percentage of Muslims in the state and therefore requested for a review, but the complaint has so far been ignored by the Lagos State Government (LASG) and the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) commenced screening of the nominees on Monday 14th August 2023.
The Nigerian Muslim community in the diaspora reminded the Lagos State government that the global community is watching closely.
“It is important to state that compliance with the Nigerian constitution is sacrosanct and that this action of the LASG is clearly in violation of sections 14 (4) and 192 (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The LAHA should also play its constitutional role of checks and balances as an important lawmaking arm of the government. It is pertinent to call attention to the fact that a similar incident occurred recently in Niger State, but the Niger State House of Assembly quickly nipped it in the bud to ensure equity for Christians in Niger State. The Lagos Muslim community deserves justice and fairness like their Christian counterpart in Niger State.
“Furthermore, the statistics of appointments in Lagos State since the inception of this administration of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu has vividly shown that this is not a new development. In 2019, out of 15 Special Advisers, 14 were Christians and only 1 Muslim. Also 29 Christian State Executive Council members and 14 Muslims only; 13 Christian Commissioners and 10 Muslims and 35 Christian Permanent Secretaries and 15 Muslims.
The association joined the Muslim Community in Lagos State to unequivocally state that the current list of commissioners-designate of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu as presently constituted is hereby rejected, as they demand a fresh list that will reflect fairness and justice to all without discrimination.
“This will be in consonance with the current Lagos State slogan “Igbega Ipinle Eko, ajumose gbogbo wa ni”, he added.
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