By Rasheed Abubakar
* Competence, political participation will determine appointments — Hamzat
The demand for greater Muslim representation in the Lagos State Government took centre stage on Sunday as The Companion, an association of Muslim professionals and business leaders, hosted the state’s Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, in Ikorodu for a strategic engagement.
The Muslim organisation called for an end to what it described as the marginalisation of Muslims in political appointments and governance, asking for a clear framework for equitable representation, including a “definitive and guaranteed assurance” of not less than 50 per cent representation of credible Muslims in cabinet appointments.
The demands were presented to Hamzat at The Companion Islamic Centre, Ikorodu, Lagos, during his consultation with Muslim professionals and leaders ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The organisation also called for balanced appointments of permanent secretaries, heads of parastatals, tutors-general, medical directors and judicial officers.
The meeting brought together the National Amir of The Companion, Imam Nojeem Jimoh; Lagos District Amir, Alhaji Abdulkabir Olayiwola Baruwa; leaders of the women’s wing, The Criterion; and prominent Muslim professionals and community leaders.
Hamzat was accompanied by his running-mate, Princess Damilola Sonayon-James; Director-General of the campaign organisation, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon; Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Islamic Affairs, Dr Abdullah Jebe; and former Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Hon. Abdul Rasaq Olusola Ajala, alongside other leaders and members of the APC campaign team.
Muslims feel marginalised — Baruwa
In a welcome address, the Lagos District Amir, Alhaji Abdulkabir Olayiwola Baruwa, said Muslims in Lagos had increasingly felt excluded from political appointments and senior positions in government despite their historical and continuing contributions to the politics and development of the state.
Reflecting on political developments in Lagos since the return to democracy in 1999, particularly over the past 12 years, Baruwa argued that the period had revealed “an imbalance and unfair treatment of Muslims in the state.”
He maintained that the marginalisation had become systemic and pervasive, leading to the alienation of a large segment of the Muslim population in Lagos State.
“The distribution of political offices and appointments to senior and leadership positions in government ministries, departments and agencies have led Muslims to feel short-changed, marginalised, suppressed and completely alienated,” Baruwa noted.
“We, Muslims, are not asking for preferential treatment but fairness, equity, inclusion and equal opportunity. Muslims have historically played a significant role in the development of Lagos State, and their contributions to the development of Lagos predated colonial administration and the advent of Christianity.
“Muslim communities across the five divisions of Lagos State have contributed substantially to the economic, educational, social and political development of the state and deserve appropriate representation in the opportunities and responsibilities available within its governance structure.”
The demands ahead of 2027 election
The Companion presented a series of proposals to Hamzat covering political representation, religious freedom, education, Islamic personal law, economic empowerment and engagement with Muslim communities.
It demanded a clear framework for equitable representation in government appointments and a “definitive and guaranteed assurance” of not less than 50 per cent representation of credible Muslims in cabinet appointments.
On Islamic personal law
Baruwa called for the immediate commencement of legislative and administrative processes to establish a Shariah Court of Appeal in Lagos, with the institution expected to be in place within the first year of the next administration.
The organisation also recommended collaboration with the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), the Lagos State House of Assembly and other relevant stakeholders to advance the initiative.
It also urged the government to strengthen safeguards against religious discrimination through administrative measures, including circulars and gazettes prescribing sanctions against officials who harass, intimidate or discriminate against hijab-wearing students and uniformed personnel in the state civil and public service.
The Companion on education
The Companion called for increased recruitment of qualified Arabic and Islamic Studies teachers in public schools through collaboration with professional bodies, including the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS) and the Muslim Teachers Association of Nigeria (MUTAN).
It further proposed stronger collaboration between the government and credible community and faith-based organisations in the delivery of social intervention programmes.
The Lagos District Amir urged the inclusion of credible Muslim politicians and professionals in the political campaign structure and policy think tank for the proposed administration.
He also proposed partnerships with Islamic finance professionals, non-interest banks and microfinance institutions to develop Shariah-compliant financing models for Muslim youths and traders.
Other proposals included funding digital skills hubs and vocational training centres around major Islamic religious and community centres, particularly in densely populated areas.
Criterion seeks inclusive representation
Supporting Baruwa’s position, the Lagos District Amirah of The Criterion, Dr Khadeejah Abdulsalam, said the diversity of Lagos should be reflected in the structure of government.
“One of the strengths of Lagos is the diversity of its population. We are pleading and appealing that the government structure should reflect the diversity,” she said.
Dr Abdulsalam, a lecturer and associate professor at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), also called for greater inclusion of Muslim women in government.
According to her, Muslim women should be represented by women who genuinely practise Islam.
“We don’t want Khadijah that has become an RCCG pastor; we want to be truly represented. We want Khadijah that is still practising Islam and she is still proudly a Muslim,” she said.
She also called for the protection of Muslim children’s right to wear the hijab and increased provision of Arabic and Islamic Studies teachers in public schools.
“We want our children to wear the hijab. We want Arabic and Islamic teachers in our schools,” she said.
I will appoint capable people irrespective of their religion — Hamzat
Responding to the concerns, Hamzat said appointments under his administration would be based primarily on competence, capability and willingness to serve rather than religious identity.
“It’s not my job to determine your faith. I can work with any capable and competent person irrespective of their religion,” he said.
The Deputy Governor said he would appoint a person from another religious background if that person was capable of delivering results.
“If it’s an idol worshipper that can get the job done, I will bring him on board. The only people I can’t work with are the people that don’t believe in God,” he said.
Hamzat also urged qualified Muslims who wanted greater representation in government to become active participants in politics and make themselves available for public service.
“What we measure is ability to make yourself available. You must participate,” he said.
Addressing the issue of religious balancing in political arrangements, Hamzat said political circumstances could change.
“For instance, today is shifting to Muslim-Muslim ticket; some other time, it might shift to their own side,” he said.
Urges religious groups to strengthen families
The APC candidate also urged Islamic and Christian organisations to devote greater attention to strengthening families and raising responsible children.
He expressed concern over moral decadence in society and the failure of some families to provide adequate care, supervision and moral upbringing for their children.
Hamzat said religious organisations should complement their public advocacy by helping families raise children who would become responsible members of society rather than thugs, miscreants and social delinquents.
He urged Muslim and Christian bodies to focus more on responsible parenting, family values and the moral development of children.
Canvasses support for Tinubu
Hamzat also appealed to the gathering to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the Federal Government was working to address Nigeria’s longstanding economic challenges.
He said Tinubu understood the country’s economic situation and was taking steps to address it.
The Deputy Governor particularly defended the administration’s tax reforms, arguing that the government needed adequate revenue to execute its programmes.
“There is no way government can be good without money. If it doesn’t have money to execute good plans, it will continue to struggle,” he said.
Hamzat argued that economic hardship had persisted in Nigeria for decades, recalling songs by Nigerian musicians in the 1970s and 1980s that reflected the difficulties of those periods.
He cited the songs as evidence that economic hardship was not a new phenomenon and urged Nigerians to consider the current reforms within the broader history of the country’s economic challenges.
Prominent Muslim leaders attend
The leadership of The Companion at the meeting included former NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan; Senator Salis Afolabi Shuab; President of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Hassan Fajimite; and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), Alhaji Abdulfatah Adeniyi Abdulmajeed, among others.
The National Amir of The Companion, Imam Nojeem Jimoh, who appreciated the Deputy Governor and his entourage for the meeting, presented a copy of the Noble Qur’an to Hamzat before the meeting ended.
The Companion also reminded Hamzat of its invitation to its forthcoming National Discourse, scheduled for August 23, 2026, at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium.
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