Raabitotul Aimati Wal-Ulama of Nigeria, Egba Senatorial District, Abeokuta, has joined the growing call for fairness and inclusivity in the forthcoming 2027 gubernatorial election in Ogun State.
In the spirit of equity and the promotion of religious harmony, the Muslim community demanded that the governorship mantle be passed to a Muslim candidate after the expiration of the incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun’s tenure.
Muslim News findings reveal that Ogun State is among six southwest states currently governed by Christians. This situation has sparked renewed calls from the Muslim community for equitable representation in the state’s highest elective office.
The Imams also called on all political parties in Ogun State to prioritise the selection and presentation of competent Muslim candidates for the election.
The statement was issued by the Grand Chief Imam of Egbaland, Fadhilat Sheikh Saadallah Bamigbola, and Imams representing the three other cardinal sections of Egbaland.
It was signed at the end of a strategic meeting to review the socio-political landscape of Ogun State.
The signatories included Grand Chief Imam of Egbaland and Vice President of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Fadhilat Sheikh Saadallah Bamigbola; Chief Imam of Oke-Ona, Fadhilat Sheikh Musliudeen Nosirudeen; and Chief Imam of Gbagura, Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun.
Also in attendance were Chief Imam of Owu Kingdom, Fadhilat Sheikh Sulaiman Kehinde; Olori Omo Kewu of Egbaland, Alhaji Imam Najeemdeen Wale Bakenne; and Olori Adeen of Egbaland, Fadhilat Sheikh Salis Adenekan.
During extensive deliberations on inclusivity and the historical trajectory of leadership in the Gateway State, the Imams disclosed that all the governors of Ogun State since 1979, except Senator Ibikunle Amosun, have been Christians.
They listed the governors as follows: Chief Olabisi Onabanjo from 1979 to 1983, Chief Olusegun Osoba from 1992 to 1993 and 1999 to 2003, Senator Gbenga Daniel from 2003 to 2011, Senator Ibikunle Amosun from 2011 to 2019, and the incumbent, Prince Dapo Abiodun, since 2019.
The Imams noted that by the end of the current governor’s second term, Christian leaders would have governed the state for approximately twenty-five years. While acknowledging the contributions of all past leaders, they emphasized that this disparity requires a conversation on balance and fairness in political representation.
The Imams further resolved to embark on extensive grassroots mobilisation and sensitisation campaigns. They pledged to lend full support to any political platform that demonstrates commitment to equitable power sharing.
Emphasizing unity, the statement appealed to Christian communities, traditional rulers, trade unions, student bodies, and civil society organisations to support a just transition.
The leaders stressed that this is not a call for division but an invitation to strengthen social cohesion and fair representation in the state.
The declaration concluded with a prayer for continued progress, fairness, and harmony in Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole. “Long live Ogun State. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read.
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