A socio-political group, Nigeria Muslims for Equity and Good Governance, Southwest Zone, has again reiterated its charge on Muslims to produce next governors in Oyo, Ogun, Osun, and Lagos states by 2026/27.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Abu Abdullah, the Muslim rights group warned that any political party that disrespects Muslims in the six southwest states will be taught bitter political lessons in the forthcoming elections.
Abu Abdullah also raised concerns over the disturbing level of discrimination against Muslims in Ekiti and Ondo despite their substantial numbers.
The statement reads in part:
“Muslims are in majority in Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo states, yet, our magnanimity and tolerance is being mistaken for stupidity. Similarly, despite our substantial number in Ekiti and Ondo, the level of discrimination in these states against Muslims is alarming.
“If Muslims, despite constituting over 35 percent of the population are not considered worthy enough to be deputy governors in Ekiti and Ondo states, then what right do non-Muslims have in Muslim majority states to make similar demands?
“The disrespect being extended to Southwest Muslims is virtually going beyond our enduring limit. We insist, if it was not a crime for the Christian Association of Nigeria in 2015 to call for a Christian governor in Lagos, despite their minority status, it is perfectly in order for Muslims to dictate the pace and have their way with their numbers. Whichever political party disrespects our numerical strength in 2026/27 will surely be taught a bitter political lesson as we did to those who shamelessly fought against the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023.
“In the same vein, if those who called for a Christian governor in Lagos State in 2015 were not tagged extremists or
considered fanatics, what stops Muslims who are in the majority in the region from asking for the same rights.
“It is equally essential to note that Muslims do not only possess numerical superiority, we are also equal to the task and possess better qualifications, capability and competence to produce better leadership in all fields of governance.
“Muslims aren’t troublemakers, but what we have tolerated between 2015 to date is unacceptable: where all the governors in the region are non-Muslims and not less n 70 percent of the political appointees from the Southwest by the Federal Government are non-Muslims, yet, it was the Christians in the Southwest, more than any other region, that fought the most and campaigned against the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. Southwest Christians publicly and unashamedly fought against their son to become the President in Nigeria, just because he is a Muslim. We the Muslims tolerated all these shenanigans of theirs for the sake of peace, love and harmony.
“It’s therefore time the Muslims are given opportunity to lead in all the Southwest states.
“Yorubas or Southwest Muslims are renowned as the most tolerant in the country. It’s time the other religious groups start tolerating us too. After all, we are not only superior numerically, we also have more competent hands.
“NIMMEG is not asking for any undue favour against other religious groups; we only seek balance: our due, our right”, he added.
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