The Joint Muslims Forum (JMF), a prominent coalition of Islamic organizations in Lagos, has expressed vehement rejection of the recently unveiled list of nominated commissioners by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The group, which represents the diverse spectrum of the Muslim community, accuses the governor of perpetrating a grave injustice against Muslims in the state, despite their support for his re-election campaign.
Leaders from various Islamic bodies, including Ishaq Akintola, the executive director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), and Dhikrullah Shafi, a senior cleric from the Muslim Congress (TMC), converged at a press briefing in Ikeja to voice their resolute dissatisfaction.
Abdul-Rahman Ahmad, the national missioner of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, articulated the collective stance of the Muslim community, unequivocally denouncing the roster of commissioner-designates. He delivered a strong demand on behalf of the group, urging the governor to revise the list to ensure a fair representation of 60% in favor of Muslims.
In a statement reflecting their stance, the group declared, “As Muslims in Lagos state, we firmly assert that the entire leadership of our community, representing diverse Muslim organizations, stands united in unequivocally rejecting the current list of commissioner-designates put forth by Governor Sanwo-Olu. We demand an immediate reversal and a comprehensive review of the list to ensure it accurately reflects a fair distribution of 60% in favor of the Muslim community.”
The Muslim community’s demand stems from the principles of equity embedded in their faith, emphasizing fairness and justice in all affairs. The leaders highlighted their previous support for Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, particularly during his re-election campaign, where they actively rallied the community to vote for him and safeguarded the electoral process despite numerous challenges.
Expressing their dissatisfaction with the composition of the list, the leaders pointed out that among the 39 nominees, only eight are Muslims. They deemed this representation woefully inadequate and a stark contrast to their expectations, asserting that it runs contrary to the governor’s commitment to impartial governance.
The group voiced longstanding grievances, citing previous instances of perceived injustice towards Muslims in Lagos under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration. These grievances encompass imbalanced policies, disproportionate appointments, and encroachments upon religious and socio-political rights.
While the Muslim community acknowledges the governor’s experience and dedication to improving the lives of Lagosians, they demand an immediate and substantive corrective measure to rectify this perceived injustice. The group’s resolute stand underscores the importance of fair and inclusive governance that addresses the concerns and aspirations of all segments of society.
