Muslim group accuses Gov Makinde of religious bias

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of attempting to impose a Christian successor, alleging religious marginalisation of Muslims in the state.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, claimed that Makinde, who is serving his second term, should not “anoint another Christian” as his successor, insisting that there is an unwritten power-sharing arrangement in Yorubaland based on religion.

The group argued that leadership should alternate between Muslims and Christians, warning that any deviation from the pattern could trigger religious tension in the state.

MURIC further called on Muslim leaders in Oyo State to resist what it described as an attempt to sideline the Muslim community in the state’s political arrangement.

The organisation alleged that Muslims in the state had been marginalised in governance and accused the administration of favouring Christians, claims it said reflected broader religious imbalance in the South West.

It also referenced what it described as a wider trend in the region, noting that all governors in the South West are currently Christians, which it claimed undermines Muslim political representation.

MURIC said it would continue to monitor the political developments ahead of the next governorship transition in Oyo State, warning that failure to address its concerns could heighten religious tensions.

The group, however, did not provide evidence for some of its claims but insisted that its position reflects the feelings of a section of the Muslim community in the state.