The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has defied all entreaties to include Muslim nominees in his cabinet as he forwarded nine names to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as commissioners and special advisers.
Surprisingly, there is no single Muslim among them, Muslim News can authoritatively confirm.
The development was coming a few days after the governor met with the leadership of the Ondo Muslim community, who expressed displeasure over continued marginalisation and exclusion from governance in the state.
Aiyedatiwa, a Christian, became the Governor of the state with about 40% Muslim population on December 27, 2023, following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, another Christian.
Muslim News gathered that Muslims both within and outside Ondo State have expressed concern over the governor’s first appointments shortly after he was sworn-in. There was no single Muslim on the list of the first five aides.
Unperturbed, the Governor ignored the appeal by Muslim leaders in the state to appoint a competent Muslim as a Deputy Governor, instead, he brushed aside the leaders and went for another brethren in Christ, Mr Olaide Adelami.
Our Correspondent gathered that some of the ten nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers are not only Christians but former cabinet members of the late Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, who ruled for 6 years before his demise.
The nominees for commissioners are Mrs Omowumi Isaac, Mr Olukayode A. Ajulo, Razaq Obe, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, Akinwumi Sowore, and Mr. Oseni Oyeniyi.
The three nominees are Hon. Olugbenga Omole, Special Adviser on Information & Strategy; Mrs. Olamide Falana, Special Adviser on Gender Affairs and Mr. Alabi Johnson, Special Adviser on Energy.
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